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AMERICAN RED CROSS 

District of Columbia Chapter 




REPORT 

of WAR RELIEF 
ACTIVITIES 

1917 1919 



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J.S. 

AMERICAN RED CROSS 

District of Columbia Chapter 



REPORT 

of WAR RELIEF 
ACTIVITIES 

1917 -^1919 






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JAM 13 1920 



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THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA CHAPTER. 

Executive Committee 

(including officers) 

June, 1919 

Mrs. W. J. BoARDMAN, Honorary Chairman. 

Dr. Ralph Jenkins, Chairman. 

Hon. H. B. F, Macfarland, 1st Vice-Chairman. 

Miss Mabel T. Boardman, 2nd Vice- Chairman. 

Mr. H. S. Reeside, Treasurer. 

Mrs. "Walter F. Whitlow, Assistant Treasurer. 

Mrs. Emory S. Land, Secretary, 

Mrs. Montgomery Blair, Col. John Van R. Hoff, U. S. A. 

Capt. J. C. Boyd, U. S. N. Mrs. Is.ViVc W. Littell 

Mrs. Charles D. Carter. Mrs. Theodore W. Richards 

Mr. John Dolph. Mrs. Seaton Schroeder. 

Miss A. M. Coding. Rear Admiral S. A. Staunton, U. S. N. 

Miss Anna J. Greenlees Mr. James L. Wilmeth 

Mr. George E. Hamilton. Hon. Simon Wolf 



CONTENTS. 

Part I. 

PAGE 

Officers iii 

Preface viii 

Reports of Officers: 

Chairman 1 

Motors Donated 5 

Secretary 5 

Finance Committee 6 

Treasurer 10 

Military Relief 13 

Ambulance Corps 14 

Packing and Storage 16 

Department of Instruction 17 

First Aid 17 

Home Hygiene and Care of the Sick, Dietetics and 

Surgical Dressings 18 

District of Columbia Red Cross Nurses 19 

Training Camp Club 20 

Civilian Relief 22 

Home Service 25 

Executive Secretary's Report 25 

Woman 's Volunteer Aid 29 

Supply Service 36 

Garments and Linen 39 

Surgical Dressings 40 

Comforts 40 

Kitchens 44 

Clerical Corps 46 

Braille Class 49 

Canteen Corps 52 

Motor Corps 60 

Junior Red Cross 66 

Influenza Epidemic 71 

Food Report 77 

Clothing Drives 81 

Salvage 82 

Red Cross Shop 84 

Melting Pot 84 

Committee on Nursing Activities 85 

Public Health 85 

Epidemics and Emergencies 88 

V 



VI 

PAGE 

Instructions 90 

Red Cross Nurses 91 

Holiday House 91 

Christmas Seal Day Camp 94 

Part II. 

Auxiliaries of the Supply Service. 

Chapter Workroom (including) : 

Washington College of Law 96 

Trinity Methodist Church 96 

Vermont Avenue Christian Church 96 

Kann 's & Sons 96 

Lansburgh Brothers 96 

Metropolitan Methodist Church 96 

Concordia Church 96 

Florence Crittenden Home 96 

Mrs. Sweetser's Unit 96 

Navy Yard Unit 96 

Northminster Presbyterian Church 96 

Smithsonian Unit 96 

Congressional Club 96 

Mrs. Gafley's Unit 96 

Thirteen Auxiliaries — Headquarters Eastern Presbyterian 

Church 97 

Eastern Presbyterian Church 97 

Douglas Memorial Church 97 

Ninth Street Christian Church 97 

Kellar Memorial Lutheran Church 97 

Kennelworth Presbyterian Church 97 

Metropolitan Presbyterian Church 97 

North Capitol M. E. Church 97 

Maryland Avenue Baptist Church 97 

Ingram Memorial Congregational Church 97 

Epworth Chapter, Eastern Star 97 

Webb School 97 

Friendship Club 97 

Eastern High Schoool 97 

Agriculture Department 96 

Anacostia ,97 

Brookland 98 

Bureau of Standards . 99 

Cairo 99 

Calvary Baptist Church 99 

Calvary M. E. Church 100 



PAGE 

Central Presbyterian Church 100 

Chevy Chase 100 

Church of Our Father 101 

Church of the Covenant 101 

Civil Service Commission 102 

College Women's Club 103 

Colonial Dames 102 

Congress Heights 103 

Daughters of America 103 

Daughters of the American Revolution 103 

Dunbar 104 

Eighth Street Temple 104 

Emanuel Baptist Church 105 

Epiphany Church 105 

Equal Franchise League 105 

Esther Chapter, Order Eastern Star 106 

Federation Women 's Clubs 106 

First Congregational Church 106 

First Presbyterian Church 107 

Fort Saratoga 107 

Foundry Church 108 

French Embassy 108 

Frank R. Jelleff 108 

Friendship 109 

Georgetown 109 

Government Printing Office 110 

Grace Reformed Church 110 

Gunston Temple 110 

Harriet Tubman Ill 

Highlands Ill 

Howard University Ill 

Interior Department Ill 

Interstate Commerce 112 

Kenesaw 112 

Ladies of the Senate 113 

Layette Committee 113 

Lebanon Lodge 113 

Marine Barracks 114 

Martha Washington, Eastern Star 114 

Mrs. Liscum 114 

Navy Department 115 

Needlework Guild 115 

Nineteenth Street Baptist Ind. Church 116 

North Capitol 116 

Park View 116 



Vlll 

PAGE 

Peck Chapel 117 

Petworth 117 

Piney Branch 118 

Post Office Department 118 

Public Health Service 118 

Red Cross Helpers 119 

Red Cross Kitchen, No. 1 119 

Rhode Island Avenue (including the following churches) . . 119 

St. Martin Roman Catholic 120 

Bethany, Baptist 120 

United Brethren 120 

Eckington Presbyterian 120 

Advent, Episcopal 120 

St. Agnes, Episcopal 120 

St. Paul M. S 120 

Lincoln Road Memorial 120 

Rhode Island Avenue Methodist 120 

Church of the Atonement, Lutheran 120 

St. Alban's Church 120 

St. Andrew's Church 120 

St. Margaret's Church 121 

St. Mark's Church 122 

St. Thomas' Church 122 

Senate Ladies 113 

State Department 122 

Southwest 123 

Takoma Park 123 

Treasury Department 124 

Twentieth Century Club 124 

United Daughters of the Confederacy 124 

United Spanish War Veterans 125 

War Department 125 

Washington Terminal 126 

Washington Ward, Neuilly Hospital 126 

Waugh M. E. Church 127 

Wesley Chapel 127 

Western Presbyterian Church 127 

Women's Christian Temperance Union 127 

Woman's Relief Corps 128 

Woodley Park (including groups from the following 

churches) 128 

All Souls', Episcopal 128 

St. Thomas, Roman Catholic 128 

Washington Heights, Presbyterian 128 

Epiphany, Lutheran 128 



PREFACE. 

The District of Columbia Red Cross Chapter (originally called 
branch) was one of the first, if not the first, Chapter organized 
after the reorganization of the American Red Cross by act of 
Congress, January 5, 1905. It has been constant in Red Cross 
service ever since that time and no war or disaster, national or 
international, found it unprepared for the service asked of it by 
National Headquarters. It M'^as also one of the very few Chap- 
ters that 3^ears ago went over the top in raising its quota of the 
Endowment Fujid. 

On the commencement of the Great War it inaugurated and 
has since carried on active service for the sick, the wounded and 
other sufferers from this unparalleled strife. With the entrance 
of the United States into the conflict, inspired with an intense 
patriotism, it increased its labors, its personnel and its service a 
thousand fold. Before war was declared and the War Council 
created it had its forces well organized for the many relief func- 
tions it was asked to perform. By May 12, 1917, more than a 
thousand women were in uniform and actively engaged in the 
Supply, Clerical, Canteen and Motor Services. The Finance 
Committee was organized before the War Council with its plans 
came into existence and was already engaged in a campaign for 
funds. 

The reports included in this volume will show how finely 
and faithfully the District Chapter has fulfilled its patriotic 
and merciful duties. As the workers have been numbered by 
thousands it is not possible to mention more than the officers, 
special committees and Chairmen of Auxiliaries and Corps offi- 
cers by name, greatly as the Editor would like to do this. The 
service rendered by one and all is a credit to the community and 
proved a blessing to the soldiers, sailors, marines and many others 
in the world-wide field of suffering and distress. 

As most of the various Chairmen have prepared their reports 
the opportunity is not provided for proper commendation of their 
own services but in every case the reports speak for themselves 
and show the devoted service of these efficient and unselfish 

ix 



officers as well as that of the members who have served so faith- 
fully under their direction. 

The Editor, however, cannot permit this volume to go forth 
without mention of the very able and devoted service of the pres- 
ent Chapter Chairman, Dr. Ealph Jenkins, whose tasks have in- 
cluded not only arduous administrative duties but embraced 
many others of various kinds to all of which the same fidelity was 
shown. Dr. Jenkins has been seconded in his labors by an ever- 
willing and earnest office force. 

To the Vice Chairman, the Honorable H. B. F. Macfarland, is 
due the main credit for the success in obtaining the great war 
fund. Mr. Macfarland devoted a large part of his time and his 
marked ability to this all-important piece of Red Cross service 
with a result that makes the Chapter and the community his 
debtors. 

The responses to the Roll Calls of the Red Cross were fine and 
inspiring, and this was largely due to the capable and devoted 
services of the men who acted as Chairmen of these two drives, 
Mr. Henry T. Blair and Mr. Frank J. Hogan. In the second 
drive Mr. Thomas Bell Sweeney as Executive Secretary gave a 
most wholehearted and generous service. 

Above all the Government Departments under the Chairman- 
ship of Mr. William J. Eynon, deserve special citation for their 
enrollment. More than half of the 81,000 members of the Red 
Cross enrolled in Washington came from men and women of these 
Departments. 

A number of residents of Washington worked at the National 
or the Potomac Division headquarters so that these departments 
of the Red Cross shared with the District of Columbia Chapter 
the services of men and women of this city. Of these the per- 
sonality that stands out preeminent is that of Miss Jane A. 
Delano, Director of the Nursing Department at National Head- 
quarters. Of all the services rendered by the American Red 
Cross to our sick and wounded soldiers there was none greater 
than that of the Nursing Department which, thanks mainly to 
Miss Delano's many years of volunteer service, as she received 
no remuneration, and to her great organizing ability, provided 
practically the entire nursing personnel (19,877 nurses) for war 
service. After long years of intense, incessant, complicated and 



XI 

often difficult work, that lessened her vitality and her power of 
resistance to disease, Miss Delano died in France in April, 1919, 
and rests there with our soldier dead as true a sacrifice for her 
country and humanity as was theirs. 

Other noble women of Washington besides Miss Delano through 
their devoted and patriotic services also lessened their vitality 
and succumbed to illness, giving likewise their lives to the great 
cause of suffering humanity. Though a resident of Brooklyn, 
Mrs. Henry B. Van Sinderen, temporarily in Washington, gave 
to the District Chapter as Chairman of the Trade Board Auxil- 
iary and in many other ways not only the services of a devoted 
and efficient woman but the inspiration of the perpetual sun- 
shine of her singularly sweet and happy nature. 

Mrs. P. H. Bristow, Chairman of the Cavalry Baptist Auxil- 
iary, was another devoted woman whose long and continuous 
service in Red Cross work, notably during the influenza epidemic, 
was a blessing to the community as well as to our soldiers and 
sailors. She, as did Mrs. Van Sinderen, gave so much of her 
time and strength to the work that undoubtedly her life was 
sacrificed in Red Cross service. 

Mr. Ernest P. Bicknell and the Rev. John Van Schaick, with 
their families, are other residents of Washington who have filled 
important positions in Belgium and France in the Red Cross 
service. 

Many others from this community have labored over seas in 
hospitals, canteens and the departments of the Red Cross with 
a credit to themselves and the city. 

At home scores of Washington women have worked at the 
military hospitals, convalescent houses of the Red Cross and in 
other capacities at National Headquarters. 

The Chairman of the Woman's Volunteer Aid of the Chapter, 
as a member of the National Executive Committee, carried on 
her Chapter work and at the same time her duties as the only 
woman representative on the National governing board. 

It is to regretted that it is not possible for lack of space to in- 
clude in this record the many stories of devotion, of sacrifice, of 
pathos and of humor involved in the daily rounds of duty that 
have pertained to the Chapter work. 

In this work so well done for the Red Cross, men and women 



Xll 

have found the beauty and the satisfaction of service both for 
their country and their fellow men. Such service, though finding 
different fields, can never end and no member of the District of 
Columbia Red Cross Chapter should ever disassociate himself or 
herself from its constant work of love and mercy. 

The Editor. 




ffi t 



Pi llj 



a ^ 






PART I 

REPORT OF CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT OF 
COLUMBIA CHAPTER. 

De. Ealph Jenkins, Chairman. 

The declaration of war by the United States Government found 
the District of Columbia Chapter well organized and ready for 
active service. Admiral N. E. Mason, its Chairman, was soon re- 
called to active duty and was, therefore, forced to resign. Major 
General C. A. Devol succeeded Admiral Mason as Chairman and 
was followed by Admiral Seaton Schroeder as Acting Chairman. 
When the former was ordered to California and Admiral Schroe- 
der returned to active service Admiral Sidney Staunton became 
Chairman and held that office until he, too, was summoned back 
to duty at the Navy Department. 

All of these officers gave unsparingly of their time and service 
to the Chapter work. Following the resignation of Admiral 
Staunton, Dr. Ealph Jenkins was elected Chapter Chairman 
with Mr. H. B. F. Macfarland and Miss Mabel T. Boardmen as 
Vice Chairmen and Mrs. W. J. Boardman as Honorary Chair- 
man. Dr. John van Schaick, who had been one of the Vice 
Presidents, was called to Europe in the early days of the war 
for service in Belgium, where he became later the American Red 
Cross Commissioner. 

Major General Devol was the first Chairman of the Military 
Relief Committee and Mr. C. C. Glover, Jr., Chairman of the 
Civilian Relief. General Devol was succeeded by Brigadier 
General J. G. D. Knight and Mr. Glover, when he entered the 
Navy was succeeded by Mr. John Dolph as Chairman of Civilian 
Relief. Under these gentlemen both the Military and Civilian 
Relief has been exceedingly well done and much credit is due 
them for their devotion to the work. 

The Hon. H. B. F. Macfarland was appointed Chairman of the 
important Finance Committee and Miss Mabel T. Boardman 
Chairman of the Woman's Volunteer Aid. Mr. Howard S. 



Reeside as Treasurer and Mrs. T. N. McLaughlin as Secretary 
continued the services they had for so many years rendered the 
Chapter. Upon Mrs. McLaughlin's resignation Mrs. T. N. 
Richards served for a time as Secretary and was succeeded by 
Mrs. Emory S. Land. As the work in the Treasurer's office 
rapidly increased Mrs. "Walter T. Whitlow was appointed Assis- 
tant Treasurer, and with Mr. Reeside as Treasurer this office 
has been most efficiently and faithfully handled. 

The first problem to be met because of the great increase of 
work was the question of suitable quarters. Thanks to the kind- 
ness and patriotism of Mr. Herbert "Wadsworth these were pro- 
vided by the loan of his large residence at 1801 Massachusetts 
Avenue. Here a garage and cellar gave ample storage space. 
The packing room and several offices were located on the first 
fioor while on the main fioor above the large hall and rooms, in- 
cluding a ball room, provided for hundreds of workers who con- 
tinually thronged the Chapter Headquarters. So greatly did the 
work increase that in spite of the fact that many large workrooms 
in addition were established in parish houses, church parlors and 
other buildings, space had to be rented for Surgical Dressings 
Headquarters. After more than a year's occupancy of Mr. Wads- 
worth's residence it was returned to him for his own use and a 
residence rented on Connecticut Avenue for Chapter Headquar- 
ters with additional rooms at 1220 and 1226 Connecticut Avenue 
as well as Comfort Section quarters at 1301 Connecticut Avenue. 
In May 1919, the residence on Connecticut Avenue was sold and 
16 Jackson Place was rented for Chapter Headquarters. 

The Canteen Service, which originally functioned on wheels 
with its field kitchen and then in tents near the tracks, became so 
important that in the summer of 1917 a large hut was con- 
structed for the work in the switch yards, this later being in- 
creased to include both reading and emergency aid rooms. Later 
President Wilson gave the President 's Suite in the Station to the 
Canteen for its service there. 

The Motor Corps work also grew rapidly and as it was difficult 
to obtain suitable space for the automobiles, motor trucks and 
ambulances with the aid of the National Red Cross and on land 
loaned by Mrs. W. Murray Crane a garage was built on Sixteenth 
Street. This was considerably enlarged in the autumn of 1919 



to provide more office room, a heating plant and upstairs a lounge 
and several cubicles for those who remained on night duty. 

For the Salvage work a disused engine house was given by the 
city and later a store was rented for the use of the Red Cross 
Shop. 

During the influen2;a epidemic large office space at the comer 
of 14th and F Streets was generously loaned for the recruiting 
station for nurses and other necessary service. Church parlors 
and school kitchens were given for the use of food centei'S during 
the epidemic and additional space was donated from time to time 
for special Red Cross Service. Congress gave places for booths 
in the Capitol for Red Cross workers during the War Fund 
Drives, as did banks and other establishments. 

In the summer of 1917 Mrs. Violet Blair Janin generously gave 
the use of a large residence at the corner of Sixteenth and K 
Streets for the purpose of the Officers' Training Camp Club 
carried on by the Chapter during the two training camps at Fort 
Myer. 

When Holiday House was established for convalescent women 
war workers, the Carroll Springs Sanitarium at Forest Glen was 
rented for this purpose. 

A number of rooms have also been rented for the Teaching 
Center and for the Home Service work in suitable localities. 

In spite of the difficulties in securing accommodations because 
of the congestion in Washington, and in spite of the changes re- 
quired because of the sale of occupied buildings, the Chapter 
work never suffered for lack of quarters, but this was due to the 
faithful efforts of its officers. These experiences, however, prove 
the great need for a permanent Chapter House as the peace ac- 
tivities of the Red Cross promise to be as important as those of 
war. 

The Executive Committee of the Chapter held regular bi- 
weekly meetings, a small council of the Committee with power 
to act meeting the alternate week. The Committee included be- 
sides the regular officers those Chapter members who were in 
charge of the various departments of work, and by this means all 
departments were represented on its governing board and were 
able to present for consideration the needs and problems of their 
respective service. 



The budget system as far as possible was maintained in con- 
nection with the Chapter appropriations which were voted by the 
Committee on the statements of the various department heads. 
Certain of the Auxiliaries financed their own work ; others were 
given the materials from the Chapter storeroom and still others 
purchased part and were given part of the material they used. 

To the Chapter were presented several ambulances, motor cars 
and trucks. A special truck was utilized by the Chapter Execu- 
tive Headquarters and for the Red Cross Kitchen work. 

In connection with the truck service a word of appreciation 
should be expressed to Miss Mai G. Wyatt who gave continuous 
and all day service in driving the Chapter truck for many months 
and thereby rendered very valuable assistance. 

Another special service that deserved the commendation and 
gratitude of the Chapter officers has been that rendered by the 
patient and faithful women who have given their time and labors 
to the somewhat tiresome duties of the information desk. 

The good work of the large Finance Committee of which the 
Hon. H. B. F. Macf arland was Chairman, and the arduous labors 
of the Packing Committee so devotedly carried on will be chron- 
icled elsewhere in this volume as will also the reports of the 
Women's Volunteer Aid, the Ambulance Corps, the Home Ser- 
vice, the Instruction Department, the Junior Red Cross and other 
branches of service. Each and all of these departments, their 
officers and members, the office force of the Chapter and thousands 
of others have rendered services to which no words can do full 
justice. What has been accomplished has been done for the sake 
of the country, the men of her fighting forces and for humanity. 
Those who have served ask no better reward than the conscious- 
ness that their labors have lessened suffering and helped relieve 
the distress of a war-torn world. 



MOTOES. 



Numbers 
Donated 
Ambulance . . 1 



Highlands Auxiliary (Gorgas Ambulance) . 

Department of Agriculture " 

Interstate Commerce Commission " 

Italian Colony " 

Fairfax County Chapter " 

Church of the Epiphany " 

Miss A. J. Clapp " 

Mrs Andrews " 

Mrs. Eobert F. Shepard " 

Friends of Washington Cathedral " 

Ladies of the U. S. Senate " 

Employees of the House of Eepresentatives .... " 

Piney Branch Citizens' Association " 

Eotary Club " 

National Eed Cross " 

Junior Order, United Order American Mechanics ' ' 

Miss Judd (Mrs. Gleaves) " 

Mrs. Mary Hill HUl Automobile 

Mr. H. B. Johnson " 

Mr. F. H. McPherson " 

Lieut. C. W. Lacey * ' 

S. J. E. Muurling " 

Mr. and Mrs. A. Sprague Coolidge Truck 

Through Food Administration Station Wagon 

Department of Agriculture Kitchen Trailer 

Fairfax County Chapter Motor Cycle with Side Car 

Mr. John Clapp " ' ' " " " 



SECRETARY'S REPORT. 

Mrs. Emory S. Land, Secretary. 
The reports of the various departments of Chapter work are 
given so fully under their respective Chairmen that there remains 
but little for the Secretary to report. 

The regular annual meetings have taken place as provided by 
the by-laws at which the officers and members of the Executive 
Committee have been duly elected and the year's reports read 
and adopted. The Executive Committee has held frequent and 
well-attended meetings at the Chapter House at which the work 
of the Chapter has been given careful consideration, policies 
adopted and appropriations made. 

The card catalogue of the great increase in membership has 
been a task that has taken many months to complete and thanks 
are due to the Clerical Corps for the able assistance they have 
rendered in that task. The enrollment includes all classes of 
memberships. 

Members enrolled, 1917 53,290 

Members enrolled, 1918 81,371 



FINANCE COMMITTEE ON RED CROSS WAR FUNDS. 

Hon. H. B. F. Macfarland, Chairman. 

On the declaration of war the Chapter received instructions 
from Mr. Eliot Wadsworth, Vice Chairman of the Central Com- 
mittee, to form a Finance Committee and proceed to raise funds. 
These instructions were promptly carried out by the Chapter. A 
committee was appointed of which the Hon. H. B. F. Macfarland 
was Chairman. At that time there was no War Council and no 
National plans had been formulated for the $100,000,000 War 
Fund Drive. The Committee at its first meeting considered a 
preliminary budget presented by the Chapter for the amount 
necessary to carry out the obligations imposed upon it by the 
National Headquarters, such as the organization and equipment 
of an ambulance company, etc. It was decided that $150,000 
would meet the budget and some $27,000 was subscribed by the 
members of the committee who were present at this meeting. 
The committee immediately proceeded with its active campaign 
for funds and when this was partly completed the National or- 
ganization, under the War Council, sent out the plans for raising 
the first $100,000,000 War Fund. The District Finance Com- 
mittee found it unwise to attempt to reorganize their own plans 
and to start a second campaign. It therefore decided to com- 
plete what it had on hand. It was due to the Chapter's prompt 
obedience to Headquarters' orders that it had already launched 
its campaign and the National officers recognized the inadvis- 
ability of a change of plans at that date and a new campaign. 
Therefore, special arrangements were made with the Chapter 
regarding the disposition of this first War Fund. 

Receipts from the First Red Cross War Fund Campaign, 
1917, $350,840.81. 

The population was then estimated at 350,000, so this was 
$1.00 per capita. 

The total subscription to the Second Red Cross War Fund, 
May, 1918, amounted to $1,278,770.84 ; the total collected up to 
February 1, 1919, $1,175,483.98, practically 92 per cent of the 
total subscription. Every effort is being made by the War Fund 
Chairman and the War Fund Cashier to collect the remainder. 
But according to information coming to them the percentage of 
collection is already above the average of the country at large, 



- " ^ii.i 




A War Fund Parade 




Doing His Bit for the Red Cross 



which was 88 per cent and much higher than in many jurisdic- 
tions. The quota of the District of Columbia was $500,000. 
The subscription was the largest ever made for civic or philan- 
thropic purposes in the National Capitol. Never was greater 
enthusiasm shown. 

In round numbers the cost of collection of the 1917 War Fund 
was 1% per cent and the cost of the collection of the 1918 War 
Fund was 1 per cent. The cost was very low as compared to 
the cost of the collection of other funds here and elsewhere, 
which usually range from 2 per cent to 10 per cent where they 
are economically made. 

Under the National plan, the Chairman of the Finance Com- 
mittee was appointed War Fund Chairman by the Chairman of 
the Chapter with authority to appoint his assistants and direct 
the campaign. He reappointed the Executive Committee and 
other committees of the original Finance Committee with a num- 
ber of additions. The original Finance Committee had been 
kept in being since the time of the raising of the First Red Cross 
War Fund. In addition a large number of men and women 
served as members of the teams under the campaign plan of 
solicitation and as members of special committees. The women 
of the Uniformed Corps and the women of the Auxiliaries gave 
valuable assistance, efficiently responding to every request. 

Prior to the actual campaign, meetings of the Finance Com- 
mittee addressed by distinguished speakers, including represen- 
tatives of foreign governments and foreign Red Cross Societies 
were held at the New Willard and at the Continental Memorial 
Hall, Daughters of the American Revolution. Pershing 's ' ' Fifty 
Soldiers," the first to return, spoke at a meeting at Liberty Hut. 

On May 19, a procession of the District Chapter headed by the 
Uniformed Corps and Auxiliaries, the most impressive and beau- 
tiful ever seen in Washington, stirred the interest of the city. 
The churches continued the effort the next day, so that by Mon- 
day the reasoned enthusiasm of the whole community appeared 
and rose steadily day by day until the climax in the celebration 
on the following Monday. Each night a large mass meeting 
addressed by notable speakers was held beginning on Monday 
night, which was in honor of Great Britain, when the British 
Ambassador, the Earl of Reading, was the principal speaker, and 
continued in honor of different Allies on different nights. The 
United States was celebrated on Saturday night and the City of 



Washington on Monday night. These meetings were thrilled by 
famous singers from New York, including members of the Metro- 
politan Opera Company. Other meetings were held on the steps 
of the Treasury Department at noon and elsewhere in the city, 
including the meeting under the auspices of the Potomac Divi- 
sion on Sunday, May 27th, addressed by Henry P. Davison, 
Chairman of the "War Council, who had just returned from 
Europe. Churches, theatres and schools, and various organiza- 
tions gave ample opportunity for addresses and hearty cooper- 
ation in raising the subscription. The District Government and 
the Government Departments as usual contributed generously in 
every way and so did the civic, fraternal and labor organizations. 

It was distinctly a community effort in which it was estimated 
that at least a quarter of a million men, women and children 
gave money or time or both. 

The President of the United States, the Vice President, Cabinet 
Officers, the Speaker of the House, Senators and Representatives, 
the District Commissioners, all took part. 

For the first time another flag than that of the United States 
waved over the Capitol dome — the flag of the Red Cross. It was 
also flown from the principal banks, hotels and office buildings. 

The newspapers — the Washington Post, the Evening Star, the 
Washington Herald, and the Washington Times — gave most gen- 
erous aid in every possible way. The business advertisers in the 
newspapers generally gave advertising space to our publicity 
committee. The billboard and other publicity agencies and street 
car lines, banks and other business houses displayed the posters 
and signs. Moving pictures were shown nightly at the south side 
of the Treasury Department. 

Our friends from other cities, here for war work, who were 
asked to give at least in part through the common National 
Capitol to the common cause generally cooperated heartily. Hun- 
dreds of patriotic men and women gave all or much of their time 
in special service, Corcoran Thom, Vice Chairman, and the 
members of the Executive Committee, Milton E. Ailes, Charles 
Henry Butler, Myer Cohen, William J. Eynon, William T. Galli- 
her, George E. Hamilton, John B. Lamer, Charles Colfax Long, 
B. F. Saul, Arthur Peter and Cuno H. Rudolph, War Fund 
Cashier, were leaders in this service. Thomas Bell Sweeney, 
Executive Secretary, gave his whole time as a volunteer at Cam- 



paign Headquarters, 1222 F Street, from the day it was opened, 
April 2d, until after the campaign. Clarence A. Aspinwall, Sec- 
retary^ of the Committee, was in France during the campaign but 
did valuable work in preparation. 

The Campaign Committee, made up of 800 representative men 
and women, was divided into sub-committees under the Chair- 
manship of members of the Executive Committee and into teams 
under team captains for the actual solicitation. 

William T. Galliher was Chairman of the Committee on Civic, 
Fraternal and other organizations ; John B. Lamer, Chairman of 
the Committee on Churches, Clubs, Colleges and Schools ; William 
J. Eynon, Chairman of the Committee on Governmental Em- 
ployees; Myer Cohen, Chairman of the Committee on Other 
Large Groups of Employees ; B. F. Saul, Chairman of the Com- 
mittee on Publicity ; Charles Colfax Long, Chairman of the Com- 
mittee on Meetings and Speakers ; Charles Henry Butler, Chair- 
man of the Committee on Personal Solicitation, under which was 
the organization of 25 team captains, each with a team of 25 who 
did the work of special solicitation, Melvin C. Hazen was Chair- 
man of a special committee on the Parade of the District Chap- 
ter. Mrs. T. W. Richards specially represented the Uniformed 
Corps of the Women's Volunteer Aid in the absence in France 
of Miss Mabel T, Boardman, who was very greatly missed. 

Of the funds collected by agreement with National Headquar- 
ters, 25 per cent remained in the Chapter and 75 per cent was 
transmitted to the National Headquarters. The 25 per cent re- 
maining in the Chapter was devoted to the carrying on of Chap- 
ter activities, purchasing of equipment for the Ambulance Corps, 
the supplies for base hospitals, garments, linen, surgical dress- 
ings, the expense of the Home Service for aid to soldiers' families, 
Canteen and Motor Corps expenses, etc., etc. None of this money 
was used for the administrative work of the Chapter which was 
provided for by half of the membership dues. 

Subscribed to Second Ked Cross War Fund $1,278,770.84 

(The District of Columbia's quota was $500,000). Per- 
centage of subscriptions collected practically 92 per cent. 

Collected to May 19, 1919 1,175,483.98 

First Eed Cross War Fund Eeceipts 350,840.81 

Total War Fund Drives Eeceipts $1,526,324.79 



10 

WAR RELIEF FUND. 

May 14, 1917-AprU 30, 1919. 

Mr. Howard S. Eeeside, Treasurer. 
Mrs. Walter T. Whitlow, Assistant Treasurer. 
Eeceipts: — 

War Fund Drives (portion retained by Chapter) $442,607.50 
Donations and contributions for materials.... 148,762.74 
Gift from General Fund 6,897.37 

$598,267.61 

Disbursements : — 

Administration of Finance Committee $5,398.72 

Ambulances for Ambulance Corps 16,200.15 

Canteen 54,813.09 

Hospital and Eefugee Materials 188,946.03 

Civilian Eelief 66,394.88 

Motor Corps 6,524.97 

Knitting—Wool 33,567.32 

Comforts 9,520.37 

Christmas Packages 10,269.79 

Braille Classes 284.13 

Training Camp Club 6,470.29 

Hospital, Nice, France 100.00 

American Military Hospital 100.00 

Neuilly Hospital 55.00 

Widows and Orphans of French Soldiers 10,002.00 

Belgian Children 60.60 

Polish Eelief 115.69 

Armenian and Syrian Eelief 124.50 

Halifax Eelief 162.00 

Appropriation for Junior Eed Cross Work. . . . 535.00 

Newspapers for Walter Eeed Hospital 185.65 

Motor Corps Garage (building) 5,459.90 

Holiday House 7,400.00 

Influenza 5,676.48 

Miscellaneous 4,727.88 

433,094.44 

Balance on hand AprU 30, 1919 $165,173.17 

A loan of $19,104.30 was received from the General Fund and 
later refunded. This amount is not included in the above 
receipts and disbursements. 

Balance on hand April 30, 1919 $165,173.17 

Appropriations not yet expended and esti- 
mated expenses for remainder of year 
1919 133,008.48 

$32,164.69 



11 
SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT. 

WAE FUND EEPOET. 

May 1, 1919-Sept. 30, 1919. 

Balance on hand May 1, 1919 $165,173.17 

Eeceipts : 

War Fund Drive (retained by Chapter) $640.33 

Donations and contributions for materials, etc. 11,106.28 
Junior Eed Cross for National Children's Fund 5,000.00 

$181,919.78 

Disbursements : 

Holiday House $4,800.00 

Canteen 13,970.80 

Hospital and refugee materials 499.55 

Civilian Belief— Home Service 36,630.00 

Motor Corps 955.41 

Knitting Wool 7,034.69 

Walter Eeed Hospital 5,364.80 

Eed Cross Kitchen 171.05 

National Children's Fund transmitted to Na- 
tional Headquarters 5,000.00 

Comforts 1,754.75 

Braille Classes 144.93 

Soldiers and Sailors Christmas 1,982.48 

Allied clothing drive 126.16 

Fatherless children of France 10.00 

Miscellaneous 1,736.7,7 

80.181.39 

Balance on hand Sept. 30, 1919 $101,738.39 

Sept. 30. Balance on hand $101,738.39 

Appropriations not yet used — 

Base Hospital $22,640.92 

Braille 12.54 

Ambulance 3,770.71 

Comforts 5,069.67 

Christmas 1,306.66 

Holiday House 2,800.00 

Contribution Edith Cavell-Marie Depage 

Hospital 500.00 

36,100.50 



Balance 65,637.89 

Estimated monthly expenses to Dec. 30, 1919, 3 mos., 

at $11,400 per mo 34,200.00 

Dec. 30. Estimated money not appropriated against $32,437.89 



12 

GENERAL FUND. 

May 1, 1917-April 30, 1919. 

Mb. Howard S. Eeeside, Treasurer. 

Mrs. Walter T. Whitlow, Assistant Treasurer. 
1917. 

May 1. Balance on hand $5,480.83 

Eeceipts 217,356.77 $222,837.60 

Disbursements : — 

Eent, heat and light $12,350.00 

Salaries 16,022.93 

Postage, Printing and Stationery 3,511.40 

Campaign Expenses 1,500.00 

Other Administrative Expenses 1,653.18 

Dues and Class Pees Paid to National 

Eed Cross and Potomac Division. . . 89,107.75 
Other Eemittances Paid to National 

Eed Cross and Potomac Division. . . 3,734.93 

Gift to War Eelief Fund 6,897,37 

Junior Eed Cross Committee 150.00 

Christmas Packages 1,586.54 

Equipment 4,261.97 

EoU Call Expenses, 1918 1,205.93 

Eepairs, Screens, etc 1,307.97 

Insurance on Ambulances and Mate- 
rials 2,714.03 

Mexico City Eed Cross Funds Paid to 

National Eed Cross 694.67 

Washington Ward, Neuilly Hospital. . . 9,600.00 

Canteen — Officers' Training Camp.... 111.16 

Influenza Epidemic 206.30 

Seals 1,355.32 

Miscellaneous — Equipment for Hygiene 
Class Eoom, Purchase of Liberty 
Bonds Contributed to War Fund, 

Moving, etc 8,708.25 

$166,679.70 
1919. 
April 30. Balance on hand $56,157.90 

The following items have not been included in 
the above receipts and disbursements: 
TTniformed Women's Service Fund 

Eeceipts $18,696.68 

Uniformed Woman's Service Fund 

Disbursements 18,368.80 

Uniformed Woman's Service Fund 

Balance $327.88 

*This includes purchase and sale of 
uniforms and insignia. 

Loan to the War Eelief Fund $19,104.30 

Eeturn of Loan by War Eelief Fund. . 19,104.30 



13 
SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT. 

GENERAL FUND REPOET. 

May 1, 1919-Sept. 30, 1919. 

Balance on hand May 1, 1919 $56,157.90 

Receipts 5,776.72 

$61,934.62 

Disbursements : 

Rent, heat and light $3,853.24 

Salaries and wages 5,517.67 

Postage, printing and stationery 223.45 

Other administrative expenses 331.04 

Dues and class fees to Potomac Division 151.25 

Other remittances to Division (Books Teach- 
ing Centre) 147.50 

St. Elizabeth's Hospital 100.00 

Equipment 114.67 

Tires, repairs, supplies, etc., trucks 579.30 

Moving, cleaning, repairing, shades, etc., 16 

Jackson Place 1,102.50 

Purchase of Liberty Bonds from War Relief 

Fund ' 200.00 

Miscellaneous 1,684.18 

14,004.80 

Balance on hand Sept. 30, 1919 $47,929.82 

Items Not Included in Above Report. 

Lay Woman's Service Fund, etc., Balance $327.88 

Lay Woman's Service Fund, etc., Receipts 573.61 

$901.49 

Lay Woman's Service Fund, etc.. Disbursements 179.20 

Balance on hand Sept. 30, 1919 $722.29 

MILITARY RELIEF. 

General C. A. Devol, 
Brigadier General J. G. D. Knight, 
Chairmen. 

The Military Relief Service embraced various departments of 
work in the Chapter. Washington was not asked to organize a 
base hospital by National Headquarters but was requested to 
form and equip an ambulance Corps. This important piece of 
work was entrusted to Dr. Ryan Devereux, formerly of the 
U. S. A. Medical Service. A report of this organization is in- 
cluded in these reports. 

For the Military Relief the "Woman's Volunteer Aid of the 
Chapter provided immense quantities of supplies which are re- 
ported elsewhere. 

The Packing and Storage Division of the Military Relief per- 



14 

formed a most tiresome and arduous task which was faithfully- 
fulfilled. 

During the period of the war the Instruction Division was 
very active. In the early days some 800 men from the Depart- 
ments were organized under Dr. L. "W. Glazebrook and trained 
by him and other physicians of the city in first aid and then 
turned over to the Home Defense organization of the city. First 
aid classes for both men and women were carried on under a 
number of capable physicians as will be seen by Dr. Fillebrown's 
excellent report and the classes in home hygiene and care of the 
sick and dietetics have been under the able and devoted manage- 
ment of Miss Anna J. Greenlees. Reports on this work are in- 
cluded under those of this department. 

Though the Red Cross nurses in the District of Columbia are 
enrolled and called out for service through the medium of the 
Potomac Division, it would be unjust not to include in this 
volume a brief statement of their devotion and the services which 
they have accomplished. Our Washington nurses have always 
most faithfully fulfilled their Red Cross duties. 

A special feature of the Military Relief Department work was 
the creation of the Training Camp Club during the summer of 
1917. Both Canteen and Motor Service of the Woman's Volun- 
teer Aid have done a large part of the Military Relief work in 
hearty cooperation with this department. 

The Christmas celebrations in the hospitals at the surrounding 
camps of Washington, the packages sent elsewhere, were under 
the management of the Comfort Section, who were aided by the 
Junior Red Cross. The Woodley Park Auxiliary had charge of 
the Christmas boxes sent by the parents of boys overseas in 1918. 

The Junior Red Cross made many of the articles for hospital 
use and for the Christmas celebrations. 

The citizens of the National Capitol may well be satisfied with 
the services rendered by the Military Relief Department of the 
District of Columbia Red Cross Chapter. 

AMBULANCE CORPS. 

Dr. Ryan Deveeeux, Captain. 

Approximately, December 1, 1916, the National Red Cross 
authorized the formation in Washington of an American Red 








V 

V- 



t^. 



15 

Cross Ambulance Company, designated at that time as Ambul- 
ance Company No. 5. This was to be organized and the men 
enlisted in the U. S. Army Reserve Corps for a period of five 
years. The object was to train these men in the event of war. 
About March, 1917, the District Chapter, American Red Cross^ 
undertook to finance this Ambulance Company and an appropria- 
tion of $12,000 was allotted for its equipment as provided by 
the National Red Cross as necessary for training purposes. In 
March I was commissioned a Captain in the American Red Cross, 
already holding a commission in the Medical Reserve Corps of 
the U. S. Army. An active campaign was made to recruit this 
company from December 15, 1916, until May 15, 1917. The en- 
tire company was recruited and sworn in on May 15th. Instead 
of the men being enlisted in the Reserve Corps, they were en- 
listed for the period of the war in the Regular Army. This 
company was the first reported as ready for active service and 
was ordered to mobilize at Fort Washington, Md. Before ar- 
rangements could be made to take this company to Fort Wash- 
ington and hold it as an ambulance company with the approval 
of the American Red Cross, both the commissioned and erdisted 
personnel were sent to Allentown, Pa., to form a part of the 
United States Army Ambulance service with the French Army. 
Before leaving Washington the District Chapter, together with 
a number of individuals, provided us with some 20 Ford chasses 
and four motor cycles. The individual donors were : 

Fairfax County Chapter 

Church of the Epiphany 

Miss A. J. Clapp 

Mr. John Clapp 

Mrs. Andrews 

Friends of Washington Cathedral 

Piney Branch Citizens Association. 

Due to the fact that this company was able to take to Allentown, 
Pa., these automobiles it was the only Army Ambulance Service 
then being mobilized to begin immediate training and without this 
equipment this important service would have been without any 
ambulances or motor cycles for from four to six weeks, due to 
the fact that the army was unable to furnish these cars. It is 
to be borne in mind, therefore, that this Chapter and the indi- 



16 

viduals who gave these cars are especially to be commended for 
their prompt assistance not only in providing ambulances for the 
company itself, but providing equipment for the instruction of 
some 3,000 men who had been gathered at AUentown for training 
without any equipment whatever other than that provided by 
the District Chapter and their friends in Washington. The men 
who were enlisted in Washington were organized into three sec- 
tions, Sections 513, 514, and 515 of the Army Ambulance Service, 
and after remaining in training from June 1st to December 25th, 
they left Tobyhanna, Pa., where they had been in camp for a 
port of embarkation, Hoboken, sailing for France on December 
26th. These sections arrived in France at Brest January 11, 
1918. Section 514 was demobilized as a section and the individ- 
uals were used as replacements. Sections 513 and 515 remained 
intact and served throughout the war as individual units. A 
number of the men who were enlisted here were commissioned 
both in the Army Ambulance Service Corps and in other 
branches of the Army. A number received the French Croix 
de Guerre and their general service at the front in action was 
equal in length of time to any of the others. 

PACKING AND STORAGE. 

Admiral Seaton Schroedbr, 
Dr. Ealph Jenkins, 
Chairmen. 

This division of the Military Relief Department became soon 
a very active, important service. In the first few weeks before 
the National organization had organized the country into the 13 
Divisions, all orders for shipment were received from Head- 
quarters. Storerooms had to be arranged for the immense sup- 
plies of unmade-up materials. The District Chapter bought its 
own supplies, Mrs. T. W. Richards being Chairman of the Pur- 
chasing Committee, and large rooms were filled with boxes and 
bales of gauze, cotton, fiannel, yams, cut-out materials, articles 
for comfort bags, etc. 

Boxes were required by thousands. Lumber and labor were 
scarce. The Bureau of Printing and Engraving of the U. S. 
Treasury Department proved of great aid in providing a large 
number of specially strong boxes. Packing rooms were filled on 




A GiKL Scout Class on Home Care 




Teaching the Duties of the Big Sister 



17 

one side with empty boxes and on tlie other with great quantities 
of completed articles. Additional boxes were held in storage. 
Under National orders the articles to be packed were sorted, 
listed, packed and labelled, according to special and often 
changing codes and forwarded to New York for shipment. 

Scores of boxes containing a heterogeneous collection of arti- 
cles from various places were received in the early days at 
National Headquarters. These were taken by the Chapter, un- 
packed, inspected, sorted and repacked for shipment. Many of 
the surgical dressings that were not correctly made were remade 
by the Surgical Dressings Service. 

The work of the Packing and Storage Committee was hard 
work, hot work and very tiring work. The faithful men in 
charge never failed in maintaining this service. So often work 
of this nature that is done behind the scenes, that is not spectac- 
ular and yet so important is overshadowed by other service not 
more valuable but more interesting to the public and to partici- 
pators. The thanks of the Red Cross are due to Admiral Seaton 
Schroeder, Dr. Ralph Jenkins, Commodore Needham Jones, and 
Mr. Montgomery Blair for the work done by the Packing and 
Storage Section. 

DEPARTMENT OF INSTRUCTIONS. 

Anna J. Greenlees, Director. 
First Aid. 
Teaching Center. 
Dr. John P. Fillebrown, 
Chairman, First Aid Committee. 
The First Aid Section of the Instruction Division has been 
efficiently carried on by a number of physicians who have been 
in charge of this work with the many others who have assisted, 
them in instructing the classes have all generously donated their 
services. Those who have been in charge successively have been 
Dr. L. W. Grlazebrook, Dr. Ryan Devereux, Dr. Eustis, Dr. D. 
Percy Hickling, Dr. George N. Johnston and Dr. John P. Fille- 
brown. 

First Aid Classes 277 

Students, men and women 5,081 

Volunteer physician instructors and examiners . . 277 
Sanitary Corps of boys and girls 100 



18 

In the spring of 1917 Dr. L. W. Glazebrook organized and with 
the volunteer aid of other patriotic physicians of the city, trained 
1,050 men in first aid as a sanitary corps. This corps was review- 
ed and accepted by the President on July 7, 1917, and by him 
presented to Mr. Louis Brownlow, as Commissioner, and Mr. 
Brownlow transferred it to the Home Defense League, of which 
Mr. William P. Eno was the Director. In presenting the Corps 
Dr. Glazebrook said : ' 

"Mr. President, stimulated by your wonderful message and 
feeling this was the time for every one to do his part, I applied to 
that wonderful relief organization, the American Red Cross, and 
took my part in the local Chapter. I conceived the idea that a 
home guard of trained men would be of assistance, and I conse- 
quently addressed the clerks of our government, realizing they 
would be in Washington and would be the proper men. The men 
enlisted 1,050 within a week. With the cooperation of forty-five 
physicians and surgeons of this city these men were given instruc- 
tions in first aid. 

"It required an hour and a half of instruction each week for 
these busy men for ten weeks. They have now completed their 
course. In view of the fact that the nation is already calling to 
its service the man in the field, I take great pleasure in present- 
ing to you the sanitary corps. ' ' 

Home Hygiene and Care of the Sick, Surgical. Dressings 
AND Dietetic Section. 

Miss Anna J. Greenlees, Director Instruction for Women. 
From May, 1917, to April, 1919, there were 5,336 students who 
received instruction in this section of the Teaching Center. The 
class rooms have been at the Mason House and later at 1410 G 
Street. The students were divided into the following classes : 

Home Hygiene and Care of the Sick 1,622 

Surgical Dresings 3,210 

Dietetics 244 

Girl Scouts 260 

5,336 
Surgical Dressings made in classes 62,080 




IToME Care of a Patient 




BATHiisfG THE Baby 




A Movable Teaching Equipment 




Equipment for Lessons in Care of the Baby 



19 

Receipts feom Classes and Contributions. 

Home Hygiene and Care of the Sick $1,136.45 

Surgical Dressings 3,384.96 

Dietetics 146.00 

Donated to Surgical Dressings Work 807.08 

$5,474.49 
Second War Relief Fund $2,118.10 

These classes have been carried on under 13 graduate trained 
nurses for home hygiene and care of the sick, 9 dietetians and 77 
instructors in surgical dressings. 

The survey of the nursing resources of the District of Colum- 
bia was made by this Section. Those registering in the survey 
vrere classified as follows : 

SURVEY OF THE NURSING RESOURCES OF THE DIS- 
TRICT OF COLUMBIA. 

Graduate Nurses 392 

Pupil Nurses 471 

Undergraduate Nurses 76 

Trained Attendants 20 

Practical Nurses 106 

Midwives 9 

Red Cross Courses 254 

General Enrollment • 1,328 

Total number of Surveyors 60 

This survey of the nursing resources of the District of Colum- 
bia has now been transferred to the Committee on Nursing Ac- 
tivities. 

Few realize the immense importance of this Instruction De- 
partment of the Red Cross. Every man and boy should know 
something of first aid. Every woman and girl, if possible, should 
take a course in home hygiene and care of the sick as well as in 
dietetics and probably a modified form of first aid. The work 
that has been done has proved its value and there is a far greater 



20- 

field yet uncovered. Definite plans have been made towards the 
introducing of these courses into the older schools, colleges and 
universities as well as into various other organizations. This 
whole department of the Eed Cross will undoubtedly develop 
greatly and should have the heartiest support of all those inter- 
ested in the welfare of the community. 

GEADIJATE NUESES IN EED CEOSS ENEOLLMENT IN 
DISTEICT OF COLUMBIA. 

Miss Cora Kibler, Chairman. 

The total number of nurses is 295. War work of all kinds has 
been done by these nurses. One hundred and sixty-nine have 
been on active duty and sixty-one additional became available 
later. Sixty-eight nurses enrolled in the Home Defense Service ; 
eleven were transferred and three resigned ; the addresses of ten 
are unknown and four have died. Among the nurses were nine 
colored nurses. The Nursing Committee has held monthly 
meetings with an average attendance of six. The Headquarters 
of this Committee is 1337 K Street. There exists one vacancy 
in the Committee caused by the death of Miss Mary Glasscock." 
It consists of the following members : 

Miss Cora Kibler, Chairman, Miss Mary Fowler 
Miss Zaidee C. Kibler Miss Mary Feeley 

Miss Margaret Thompson Miss May Claypool 

TEAINING CAMP CLUB. 
Miss Mabel T. Boardman, Chairman. 

In May, 1917, a training camp for officers, under the command 
of Colonel C. W. Fenton, was established by the War Depart- 
ment at Fort Myer, Va. Because of the congested conditions in 
Washington when these young men came to town, especially for 
week ends, it was almost impossible for them to find a place to 
stay or even to pass any unoccupied time. The majority of them 
had no friends in Washington and there was need for some pleas- 
ant center where they could congregate on their visits to the city. 

The offer of the Chapter to maintain a club for them was 
heartily approved by Colonel Fenton. Mrs. Violet Blair Janin, 
in the name of the Colonial Dames of the District, generously 



21 

loaned a large residence on the comer of 16th and K Streets for 
this purpose. A Committee of ladies on equipment under Mrs. 
F. A. Keep furnished the necessary articles for the building. 
Cots with linen, blankets, pajamas and towels were made ready 
for nearly 90 men and week ends found every cot occupied. The 
nominal sum of 25 cents was charged a night. A steward, with 
assistants, was installed so that simple meals, if desired, were 
provided. 

On every Saturday afternoon a dance was given, the expense 
of which was generally met by various hostesses. Miss Dorothy 
Mason, was Chairman of the Junior Committee of young ladies 
for these dances. The Club was visited by the Secretary of War, 
the Chief of Staff, Colonel Fenton and many other distinguished 
guests. It was continued during both the first and second camps 
and was terminated at the completion of the last camp in No- 
vember. 

As many hundreds of the young reserve officers were stationed 
in Washington and the local clubs were full to overflowing, the 
the Chairman of the Training Camp Club Committee, and two 
of the officers who had frequented the club. Captain Messer and 
Lieutenant Irion, decided that an effort should be made to or- 
ganize a United Service Club (now called The Officers' Club of 
Washington) for officers of all branches of the service. The 
Westinghouse residence on Dupont Circle was secured, a guar- 
antee fund for the first year obtained and a Club Committee 
organized. This Club, which it may be claimed was an out- 
growth of the Training Camp Club, became the largest club in 
Washington, numbering some 1,200 resident members. 

In closing the report of the Training Camp Club a quotation 
from a letter written by one of the young officers who frequented 
it while at Fort Myer is given : 

''The patriotic enthusiasm that you have manifested to us 
through this finely equipped club house has aroused within us 
such a zeal to do that America cannot fail, the world will be made 
safe for democracy and America will come out of this with what 
she needs, a soul." 



22 

CIVILIAN RELIEF COMMITTEE. 
Home Service Section. 

Mr. John Dolph, Chairman. 

The work of the Committee on Civilian Relief is largely car- 
ried on by the Distribution Committee, and the workers associ- 
ated with it under the title of Home Service. The work of Civil- 
ian Relief is increasing in importance, as well as in amount. This 
is the natural result of war conditions, and now that an armistice 
has been signed, to be followed by actual peace, many new prob- 
lems are presenting themselves. 

By v/ay of illustration in the month of October, 1917, 78 famil- 
ies applied to us for help. In October, 1918, 758 families were 
under our care. 

Now that the service is thoroughly established and fairly well 
understood by the families of the soldiers and sailors, as well as 
by the men themselves, we are receiving a large percentage of all 
the cases that need the assistance and cooperation which the 
Red Cross furnishes. These cases come to us, not only directly 
from the families themselves, but through a great variety of 
sources. Many are referred to us by the various cooperating or- 
ganizations. A goodly number come to us from the booth that 
was established last summer in the Washington Terminal Station, 
where information, the value of which cannot be expressed in 
words, has been given to the men and their families, and which 
in many cases could not otherwise have been obtained, because 
it is the only opportunity the men have had to come in direct con- 
tact with Red Cross workers. 

As an example of the character of the work outside of the dis- 
tribution of money, I would report that we obtained during one 
month extension of credit for 135 families, which they, them- 
selves, could not have secured ; 29 cases were transferred to hos- 
pitals ; allotments were obtained for 23 families ; medical aid was 
furnished 11 families, and legal aid to 5 families, together with 
many other activities. 

As this work progresses changes are constantly introduced, 
and these changes will be more radical in the future because 
of the cessation of hostilities. Our work is going to be materially 
increased. "When a soldier is discharged he immediately becomes 
a civilian, and is entitled to the consideration of the Red Cross. 



23 

As men went into the service the radical changes that followed 
produced conditions that were very difficult to adjust. Practic- 
ally all of these men believed that under the law the Govern- 
ment allotments and allowances would be promptly paid, and 
their families made their calculations accordingly. The Bureau 
of War Risk Insurance had been so recently established that it 
was a physical impossibility to bring order out of the chaos that 
the millions of applications and forms presented to it produced. 
In consequence much of the responsibility for supplying infor- 
mation, as well as assistance fell to the lot of the Home Service 
Section. Every case that was brought to our attention as far as 
we know received the careful consideration of the Home Service. 

The discharge and return of the men presented many new 
problems that had to be solved. During the month of Octoler, 
1918, 23 discharged soldiers were brought to our attention, and 
of these 13 were tuberculous. It is unnecessary to go into details 
with reference to what the conditions, physical and otherwise, of 
these returned soldiers will be. The Government Hospitals that 
have been erected, or are in course of erection tell the story. 

While it is a fact that many agencies are being established 
under Government supervision, we realize as Home Workers that 
for many months these men and their families will continue to 
need the same kind of neighborly advice and assistance, which 
we are fully prepared to render. In the matter of employment 
we cooperate in the closest possible manner with the Federal 
Board of Vocational Education. Further than that in the inter- 
val between the cessation of hostilities and the discharge of the 
men from service their families have not been more immune than 
in the past from sickness, from the machinations of unscrupulous 
agents, from financial difficulties, from employment troubles, 
from the inroads of depression, loneliness, and from the forces 
which make for delinquency in children, from inadequate school- 
ing, and from other necessary preparation for life. We think it 
is very important that the men should be returned to their homes 
and their loved ones, physically and mentally fit to take upon 
themselves the responsibilities that will be theirs. The problem 
of fitting these men to readjust themselves to civilian life places 
upon every community serious responsibilities. The days on 
which these men will return to their families will prove the most 
eventful in their history. 



24 

A report of a great many of the families assisted would be in- 
teresting yet we must confine ourselves to only one or two as ex- 
amples. 

Recently an official of the Board of Vocational Training 
brought to our office a tall fine looking young fellow of 23. This 
young man has been in the trenches five months and had lost 
both arms and five of his teeth. 

He had been discharged from a hospital in this city after sev- 
eral months treatment and was going to his home in North Da- 
kota to take vocational training, being desirous of becoming a 
mechanical draftsman. 

The War Department while making provision for his trans- 
portation, had had no way of making provision for a companion 
to go with him, as he had no hands he was utterly helpless and 
could not even put on his own hat. It was learned that a fellow 
patient at the Hospital could be given a furlough, if money could 
be furnished for his carfare and living expenses en route. The 
young fellow was extremely grateful when told that the Home 
Service would pay the companion's carfare and expenses. He is 
anxious to refund this money to the Red Cross as soon as he is 
able to make an income, which he seem^ to think will be possible 
in the near future, 

A few weeks ago a young woman, wife of a soldier, came to the 
office to ask us to help her buy a nurse's equipment as she had 
been a trained nurse and was anxious to go to work at Columbia 
Hospital. We found that it was not necessary for us to pay for 
the equipment, as we secured it from the hospital. 

A little later we had a request from the same young woman 
who was then at a hotel in the city, asking us to come to see her 
as she was sick. We found she had to leave the hospital on ac- 
count of her nervous condition and not knowing where to go had 
taken a room in the hotel. She had no money to pay for a room 
and was not getting the proper care. Fortunately her husband 
came on a furlough for we found that the nervous condition had 
increased so rapidly that she was now temporarily insane. The 
Home Service had her examined by both civilian and Army 
specialists who advised that she go to a sanitorium for treatment, 
and not be sent to St. Elizabeth's as they thought in her condi- 
tion it was not safe to allow her to come in contact with the in- 
sane. After working several days, a worker even going to Balti- 




PM 



25 

more, to make special arrangements, she finally went willingly to 
Takoma Piirk Sanatorium where she has two nurses and is getting 
every care. The doctors believe that in a week or ten days they 
can decide whether she is improving or whether it will be neces- 
sary to take her to the Government Hospital. The young hus- 
band cannot express too deeply his appreciation for what the Red 
Cross has done for him. His plan now is to ask for his discharge 
and as he is a good mechanic, he feels he will soon be able to re- 
imburse us for every penny spent on his wife. The money 
was not the important thing, however, in this case. The services 
of the trained workers who knew where to get specialists and the 
proper sanatorial care, is more important than supplying the 
necessary funds. 

The results that have been accomplished during the months of 
Home Service cannot be expressed in figures or letters. The co- 
operation we have had from our workers, and more particularly 
the volunteers, deserves the highest commendation at the hands 
of the Red Cross, as it does from the families, who have called on 
us. Many letters expressive of the heartfelt appreciation of these 
people are on file in our office, but even a complete review of these 
would not do justice to the subject. To get a clear impression 
it is necessary to see and hear these people as the workers have. 

In conclusion, this report would not be complete if it did not 
pay a warm tribute of appreciation to the Executive Secretary, 
Mrs. Elizabeth B. Ufford, whose ability and devotion to the cause 
have made all these things possible. 

SUPPLEMENTARY HOME SERVICE REPORT. 

Mes. Walter S. Ufford, Executive Secretary. 

While the war was being fought to make the world a fitter 
place in which to live. Home Service Workers have been waging 
a strenuous war against the forces which were insidiously work- 
ing to undermine the homes from which the husbands and fathers 
had gone to serve their Country. Prices rose suddenly causing 
many women to feel obliged to leave their homes to increase their 
income, allotments and allowances were delayed sometimes for 
six months, children were taken from school and put to work to 
say nothing of the misfortunes of every day life, sickness, death 
and domestic troubles. 



26 

It was up to the Home Service Workers to see that every child 
had a chance to be (1) healthy and strong (2) endowed in char- 
acter to become a valuable citizen of the State. 

During the past year over three thousand resident families 
have availed themselves of the services of the Home Service Sec- 
tion ; in addition over nine thousand came for information alone. 
Some of the services rendered these families were: 

Allotments and allowances, compensations obtained, 

Provision of business equipment. 

Special or vocational training. 

Removal to better home in city, 

Extension of credit. 

Church connection strengthened. 

Medical aid, dental aid, temporary employment, 

Permanent employment, legal aid, hospital. 

Transportation, financial aid, families visited. 

PROBLEMS OF SOLDIERS AND THEIR FAMILIES 
PRESENTED. 

Allotments and allow- Arrest for juvenile 

ances delinquency 

Bonus Wounded and shell-shocked 

Compensation Arrears of pay 

Lost Checks Military offenses 

Under employment Insanity 

Occupational disease Blindness or sight seriously impaired 

Tuberculosis Feeblemindness 

Disability from indus- Old age 

trial accident Intemperance 

Epilepsy Desertion or non-support 

Cardiac disease Illiteracy 

Venereal disease Recorded conviction of crime 

Other diseases Known sexual immorality 

Some one said "war is simple, peace is complex," and our 
Workers are feeling the truth of this saying. It was compara- 
tively easy to care for the women and children. With the return 
of the men come other problems, scarcity of employment, the 
danger of weakening the man's effort if relief is put into his 
home, and on the other hand the danger of under-nourished 



27 

children if the relief is not put in, the difQculty of getting tuber- 
cular men to take the care and the treatment provided for them ; 
how to best advise the man who had not fully recovered his poise 
after being shell-shocked, although not needing hospital care, are 
a few of these problems. 

The compensation board and board of vocational education 
are working closely with the Home Service. 

Recently a young man came into the office asking to borrow 
enough money to pay for a clean collar, having secured a position 
in a restaurant. A glance at his discharge papers showed he had 
been discharged for tuberculosis and sent to his home in New 
Jersey. There he had gone to the Government Employment 
Agency, who, seeing a man with very little education and a good 
deal of muscle, had given him emplojoiient in a railroad gang, 
going to South Carolina. After being in the Camp, he was 
taunted with being a slacker. Wlien he exhibited his discharge 
papers showing that he had tuberculosis, they threw him out of 
camp. He had just enough money to come to Washington. He 
had never heard of compensation and did not know that he was 
entitled to treatment. After a few days, long enough to get his 
compensation, he was sent to the Black Mountain Sanatorium 
where he wrote : ' ' We have a very nice place up here. We had 
one fellow that was cured in one day. He came here after I did 
and he has gone home today. I like it very much here. There 
are just about 30 of us fellows up here and four girls and there 
is another place about ten minutes walk from here run by the 
same people. Well, I sure am very glad and very much in debt 
to the Red Cross for what they have done for me. I will close 
now for we are going to have a very good supper tonight. We 
have all good meals here, chicken and turkey three or four times 
a week." 

Realizing the splendid opportunity offered at Union Station 
for spreading the Gospel of Home Service, the Home Service 
Section opened an information desk early in July. All kinds of 
information has been given to soldiers or their families. Some 
pretty hard problems have been put up to those in charge. For 
instance an elderly man from the country came for help in find- 
ing his son who had written ' ' Come to see me. I am in Ward 2, 
Building 1. You can easily find me." After four hours hard 



28 

work the son was located at St. Elizabeth's Hospital and a volun- 
teer was sent with the father to see the son. 
We have had splendid volunteer service : 

Friendly visitors 81 

Committee Members 29 

Investigators 16 

Clerical 22 

Motor 38 

Union Station Workers 15 

Total 201 

We could not possibly have done our work without the assist- 
ance of the Motor Corps, which has furnished us four cars a day, 
except during the summer. 

This work has been carried on at an expendi- 
ture of $43,599.51 

Refunded 4,533.56 

Balance $39,065.95 

Supplementary Report of Home Service Section 

From April to September, inclusive, 1919. 

Total number of families, Information cases, 

5,267 13,379 

The problems presented and services rendered to these families 
were mainly the same as those mentioned in the previous report 
with the addition of unemployment. 

This work has been carried on at an expendi- 
ture of $35,777.53 

Refunded 4,066.73 

$31,710.80 
First report — expenditures 39,065.95 

Total expenditures to October 1 $70,776.75 



29 

THE WOMAN'S VOLUNTEER AID. 

Mrs. Woodrow Wilson, 

Honorary Chairman. 

Mrs. Newton D. Baker, Mrs. Josephus Daniels, 

Honorary Vice Chairmen. 

Miss Mabel T. Boardman, 

Chairman, 

In March, 1917, when war was evidently fast approaching, a 
mass meeting of women was held at Rauscher's by the Red Cross 
Chapter of the District of Columbia for the purpose of mobiliz- 
ing the woman power of Washington for the coming conflict. The 
ball rooms were filled to overflowing and many were turned away. 
Miss Mabel T. Boardman, of the Chapter Executive Committee, 
presided and made the opening address asking for the aid of all 
the women in the District in the work that lay before the Red 
Cross. The invocation was pronounced by the Reverend Roland 
Cotton Smith and the audience united in singing "My Country 
'Tis of Thee" and the "Star Spangled Banner." 

Representatives of the many womens' organizations pledged 
the support of their respective associations to the Red Cross, 
generous contributions of funds were made and the greatest 
patriotic enthusiasm prevailed. 

Temporary cards for registration of service were filled by 
hundreds. Later these and other were card-catalogued and filed. 

Following this preliminarj'- meeting it was decided to organize 
in the Chapter a Woman's Volunteer Aid, embracing all women 
workers who volunteered for service, except those of the Nurs- 
ing Service and those of the Home Service, the former being 
under Military Relief, the latter under Civilian Relief Com- 
mittees. 

Mrs. Woodrow Wilson accepted the position of Honorary 
Chairman of this Woman's Volunteer Aid and Mrs. Newton 
D. Baker and Mrs. Josephus Daniels those of Honorary Vice 
Chairmen. 

The Woman's Volunteer Aid, as will be seen by the diagram 
showing the Chapter organization, was closely associated with 
the three other main committees of the Chapter providing each 
of them with assistance according to its needs. Garments, linens. 



30 

surgical dressings, comforts, Clerical Canteen and Motor Service 
were provided for the Military Relief ; supplies, Motor and am- 
bulance service for the Civilian Relief and uniformed women in- 
cluding all the Corps of the Woman's Volunteer Aid rendered 
assistance to the Finance Committee in its drives for funds. 
Constant aid was also given to the executive departments of the 
Chapter. 

The Woman's Volunteer Aid is divided into four branches of 
service corresponding in a very simple way to certain services 
of the Army. These services are the Supply Service in the na- 
ture of the Quartermaster Service ; the Clerical or Office Service 
somewhat similar to the Adjutant General's service; the Canteen 
suggesting the old Commissary service and the Motor Corps 
which with its automobiles, trucks and ambuances embraces both 
Transportation and Sanitary Corps service. 

On the petition of the Chapter special permission to uniform 
its Woman's Volunteer Aid was granted by the Executive Com- 
mittee of the National organization before war was declared. On 
May 12, 1917, at the time of the dedication of the Memorial 
Building, the Headquarters of the American Red Cross, a 
little more than a month after we had entered the war, the 
Woman's Volunteer Aid Uniformed Corps of the District of 
Columbia Chapter in full uniform, one thousand strong, was re- 
viewed by President Wilson and Ex-President Taft. These uni- 
forms, with practically no changes, have been worn up to the 
present time. In the second drive for war funds it is estimated 
there were about 8,000 uniformed women in the parade that took 
place in the interest of the war fund. The Chairman of the Com- 
mittee of the Woman's Volunteer Aid was Miss Mabel T. Board- 
man. Mrs. Hugh Scott was first commanding officer of the Uni- 
formed Corps. Great credit for its success is due to Mrs. Scott 's 
interest, efforts and her military knowledge. Upon leaving Wash- 
ington in the autumn of 1917 Mrs. Scott resigned as Commander 
of the Corps and Miss Boardman succeeded her as Commanding 
Officer with Mrs. William Gorgas second in command. After 
taking command of the Corps Miss Boardman prepared and had 
printed simple regulations for the Uniformed Corps of the 
Woman's Volunteer Aid based on Army regulations. 

Each officer and member of the Corps is required to take and 
sign the Oath of Allegiance. All Corps Officers and members 



31 

have to prove themselves capable of performing the duties of 
their respective service before becoming members of the Uni- 
formed Corps and receiving the arm band. Members of the 
Supply Auxiliaries when occupied in Red Cross work are per- 
mitted to wear the white aprons and blue veils but cannot wear 
the arm bands unless members of the regular companies. 

Mrs. Theodore W, Richards was the first commanding officer 
of the Supply Service and her devotion and ability gave to this 
Service a great measure of its success. In January, 1919, Mrs. 
Richards resigned on leaving Washington and Mrs. I. W. Littell 
was appointed in her place, proving a most capable and accept- 
able successor. 

The Suppl}^ Service was divided into three sections each under 
the command of able and loyal women. Mrs. F. F. Fletcher, 
headed the Garment and Hospital Linen Section ; Mrs. Mont- 
gomery Blair the Surgical Dressings Section ; Mrs. Henry C. Rea 
and later Mrs. Danforth Geer, who was succeeded by Mrs. Jessie 
A. Hover, the Comfort Section. 

The officer in command of the Clerical Corps was first Miss 
Stella M. Osborne, of the Government Printing Office, and later 
Miss Anna C. Koerper, of the Congressional Library, with Miss 
Blanche B, Brown, of the "War Department, second in command. 
All of these have proved most devoted and excellent officers. 

The Canteen was originally organized most efficiently by Mrs. 
Larz Anderson, who was its commanding officer, until she left for 
European service in the autumn of 1917, when Mrs, Mason Gu- 
lick was selected as commanding officer of this important and 
difficult service, fulfilling her duties with great devotion, ably as- 
sisted by Mrs. George Duncan and a fine staff of officers and 
members of the Corps. On leaving for China in May, 1919, Mrs. 
Gulick resigned and Mrs. I. W. Littell was selected as command- 
ing officer with Mis. Eldridge E. Jordan second in command. 

The Motor Corps was organized by Mrs. J. Borden Harriman 
with characteristic energy and success. Upon her departure for 
overseas service Mrs. Floyd P. Waggaman was made command- 
ing officer followed by Mrs. David Fairchild and then by Mrs. 
Charles D. Carter with Miss Florence Clark, Adjutant. 

Later in thiw report further reference will be made to the re- 
markable service rendered by the Woman's Volunter Aid of the 
Chapter. 



32 

The Uniformed Corps is organized according to the following 
plan: 

The entire Corps is under the command of a Commander Gen- 
eral of the Uniformed Corps, the second in command having the 
assimilated rank of Brigadier General. All officers in the Uni- 
formed Corps are understood in this report as holding assimilated 
rank to those held by Army officers. The rank of Commander 
General is designated by two small silver crosses, worn on the 
shoulder strap. The insignia of those of the rank of Brigadier 
General is a single cross ; of colonel, three silver diamonds ; lieu- 
tenant colonel, two diamonds; majors, one diamond; captains, 
three silver disks ; first lieutenant, two silver disks and second 
lieutenant, one disk. The special insignia of the Corps consists 
of a silver monogram "W. V. A.," with a small Red Cross super- 
imposed. These are worn by the officers on the shoulder strap 
and by the privates on the arm bands. 

Officers of the different Corps are detailed as Staff officers to 
the Commander General. Mrs. Marcia P. Cranston was appoint- 
ed Adjutant and later was succeded by Mrs. "Walter 0. Hulme, of 
the Supply Service. Both proved most efficient and devoted 
officers, keeping the roster of all the Uniformed Corps and taking 
charge of the sale of uniforms, insignia, etc. All uniforms are 
purchased by members of the Corps. 

The Auxiliaries of the Supply Service are permitted to organ- 
ize as many companies of the Uniformed Corps as they desire to 
form provided each company is complete and the members are 
duly qualified for its service. A company consists of a Captain, 
two Lieutenants and 20 privates. If more than one company is 
formed by an Auxiliary the companies so formed constitute a 
battalion of the Auxiliary with an officer of the rank of Major in 
t3ommand. Each of the three sections of the Supply Service has 
at its head an officer with the assimilated rank of Colonel, and 
the head of the entire Supply Service ranks as a Brigadier 
General. 

The Clerical Corps is organized into similar companies except 
that there is one lieutenant to each company. The officer in com- 
mand has the rank of Colonel. 

The Canteen and Motor Corps are each organized along lines 
suited to their respective services with an officer of the rank of 
Colonel in command of each. 



33 

Following the military idea of a color representing a service, 
dark blue was selected as the color of the Supply Service and the 
dark blue arm band bears as a special emblem of this service em- 
broidered in white a horn of plenty typifying gifts. The uni- 
form consists of a white gown or apron with a dark blue veil with 
a white facing and bearing the Eed Cross over the forehead. A 
small Red Cross is also worn on the left front of the waist. Those 
of the Surgical Dressings members who have qualified as instruc- 
tors wear instead of the small Red Cross a large one on the breast. 

The Navy Auxiliai-y Companies added small silver anchors 
worn under the Red Cross on the waist. 

The veils of the Layette Committee are light blue with their 
special insignia, Luca della Robbia's Bambino, under the Red 
Cross. 

The Comfort Section wear light blue aprons with the Red 
Cross on the breast and dark blue veils. The members of this 
service, who later went into the Convalescent House service at 
the Red Cross House at Walter Reed Hospital, wear grey dresses 
and veils with white kerchiefs. 

The uniform of the Red Cross Kitchen Service which was later 
organized by Mrs. Allyn Capron, consists of a light blue gown 
with short sleeves and a blue cap of the same material with a 
deep band of white across the face on which is the Red Cross. 

Yellow is the service color of the Clerical Corps with crossed 
quill pens embroidered in white on its yellow arm band. The 
uniform consists of a grey chambray gown with white collar and 
cuffs and grey veils with white facings, the Red Cross being worn 
on the front of the veils. These veils took the place of white 
hats which were originally worn. 

Bright blue is the shade of the Canteen color. A cup typi- 
fying refreshment is embroidered in white on its arm band. (This 
Corps was originally called the Refreshment Corps but the name 
was changed later to Canteen at the request of National Head- 
quarters). The indoor uniform consists of a striped blue and 
white wash material dress with a large white apron with a Red 
Cross on the breast. In winter a heavy blue coat with a scarf 
lined with red, a white belt and on the breast a white shield with 
a Red Cross is worn. The winter uniform hat is a blue turban 
with a white band and the Red Cross and in summer a blue straw 
hat is substituted. 



34 

The Motor Corps uniform is a long grey coat with knee breech- 
es or short skirt, a service cap of the same material and brown 
leather puttees. In winter a heavy grey coat is added to the uni- 
form. The emblem of the Corps is a wheel of bronze with a rim 
of green, the Corps' color. 

When the women of the Home Service mobilize with the 
Woman's Volunteer Aid their uniform is white with purple veil 
and purple arm band having the insignia of clasped hands. 

The report on the organization of the Woman's Volunteer Aid 
with its Uniformed Corps has been given somewhat in detail as 
it is unique in Chapter organizations, and, therefore, a record of 
it appears desirable. The Chairman of the Woman's Volunteer 
Aid Committee cannot too highly commend the members for the 
work they have accomplished and for the spirit in which it was 
done. During the heat of summer and the cold of winter its ser- 
vices were carried on with untiring, unselfish and loyal devotion, 
making every department of its work a remarkable success. 

The Supply Service was composed of over 100 Auxiliaries, in- 
cluding the ladies of the Senate, under Mrs. Thomas Riley Mar- 
shall; the Congressional Club, under Mrs. Horace M. Towner 
and the various Government Departments under the wives of the 
Cabinet officers. A number of Auxiliaries consisted each of sev- 
eral church groups so that in certain sections of the city there 
was a Eed Cross center in the Auxiliary which prevented the 
creation of too many small Auxiliaries. This Supply Service 
filled quota after quota of garments, surgical dressings and com- 
forts often in record time. The Garment and Linen Section 
provided model garments for the Fourteenth Division; it made 
thousands of masks, gowns, caps, laundry bags, hospital linen, 
curtains, etc., on a few hours' notice for the influenza epidemic 
work. Curtains and linen were also provided for Holiday House. 
The daintiest of layettes with their blues and pinks were cut and 
fashioned or knitted by the Layette Committee. 

The Surgical Dressings Section made an enviable record not 
only in the immense numbers of surgical dressings prepared by 
the busy hands of its members but by the high standard of its 
production and by the promptness in the execution of its quota. 
This Section was in charge of Mrs. Montgomery Blair and its 
work testifies to her leadership and its members' efficiency. 



35 

The Comfort Section, besides the great quantities of comforts 
of all kinds and description that it provided cooperated with the 
Y. M, C. A. and the War Camp Community Service in organizing 
and carrying out the Christmas celebration for the soldiers, sail- 
ors and marines in 1917 and 1918. Mrs. Henry R. Rea, Mrs. 
Danforth Geer, and Mrs. Jessie A. Hover with their assistants 
were responsible for the excellent showing of the Comfort 
Section. 

Mrs. Henry R. Rea gave such efficient, devoted and generous 
service in connection with the Red Cross House at the Walter 
Reed Hospital, that she was appointed by the Potomac Divisioji 
Red Cross Field Director of the work for this hospital. 

As part of the Supply Service the Red Cross Kitchens have 
done a remarkable piece of work. Through the heat of summer 
days as well as during other seasons its members labored in 
hot kitchens preparing the thousands of jars of preserves which 
both at home and overseas brought such pleasure to our sick and 
wounded men. The very small cost of such results is a wonderful 
proof of the value of salvage of fruit and jars, etc., and also of 
the executive ability of its Supervisor, Mrs. Allyn Capron. 

The Clerical Corps composed of women in the various Depart- 
ments were never too tired after their long day's work to give 
their time to the Red Cross service whenever they were called 
upon for assistance. In this Corps the Braille Class was organ- 
ized, the members giving up an evening a week to learning to 
transcribe books and articles into braille for the benefit of the 
blind soldiers, under the direction of an able teacher. Miss Adelia 
M. Hoyt, who, herself, is blind. They have already transcribed 
a number of books which have been greatly appreciated by the 
Red Cross Institute for the Blind Soldiers at Baltimore. 

The Canteen Service, being the first Corps organized in this 
country, has a splendid record to its credit both for its services 
in the Canteen Hut in the switch yards and also for that in the 
President's Suite at the Union Station where Mrs. Wilson her- 
self frequently took part. When the wounded began to be re- 
turned the Canteen met the hospital trains that passed through 
Washington bringing to the men who had suffered for us and 
our country a tangible expression of our pride, our gratitude and 
our affection. 

The Motor Corps, the first uniformed Motor Corps to be or- 



36 

ganized in the country, has performed a very fine service for the 
soldiers and sailors and the community at large. A report of its 
various activities shows how fearless, how devoted and how loyal 
the work of the members of this Corps has been. 

One cannot read the records of the work done by the members 
of the Woman's Volunteer Aid of our Red Cross Chapter with- 
out a sense of deep pride and warm affection for their splendid 
services. 

In our thankfulness that this great and terrible war is over, let 
us not forget its lessons and the duties that it has brought to us. 
To the women of Washington who have died in the service; to 
the women who have given those they held more dear than life 
itself, to those who have sacrificed and to those who have served, 
the people of this city will some day erect a fitting memorial 
building and that their labor for the relief of suffering shall be 
carried on this building will be dedicated to the service of the 
District of Columbia Red Cross Chapter. 

If in this tremendous struggle the principle that might makes 
right has been defeated we must establish something to take the 
place of might. That something must be justice, mercy and 
love as exemplified in the spirit of the Red Cross. It is in these 
principles that the future must find its salvation. The Red Cross 
needs our constant support that its spirit of service may prevail 
and become the great power that shall dominate and save the 
world. 

SUPPLY SERVICE. 

Mes. Theodore W. Richards, Chairman, April, 1917, 

to January 20, 1919. 

Mrs. I. W. LiTTELL, Chairman, after January 20, 1919. 

In March, 1917, the Supply Corps of the District of Columbia 
Chapter, A. R. C, came into existence. It was organized by Miss 
Mabel T. Boardman, who after a mass meeting called by her at 
Rauscher's just before our entrance into the war, formed into 
four divisions the women volunteers of the D. C. Chapter, Sup- 
ply, Clerical, Canteen and Motor Services. Owing to this sound 
method of organization, to the splendid response for volunteers 
and to Miss Boardman 's patriotic appeal at a logical time, these 
women worked through nearly two years with the smoothness and 



37 

efficiency wMch made the following record an accomplishment of 
splendid patriotism as well as of devoted service. Mrs. Woodrow 
Wilson, Honorary Chairman of the Woman's Volunteer Aid, 
made many garments and knitted many socks at the Wliite 
House. 

Garments and Hospital Linen 290,419 

Knitted Articles 36,642 

Surgical Dressings 1,513,478 

Total of all supplies except comforts 1,840,539 

If reduced to money value the work on these articles would 
have amounted to over a hundred thousand dollars. 

In addition to this tremendous work, at the annual drive for 
memberships in 1917, under the Chairmanship of Mrs. Henry B, 
Soule, the Auxiliaries brought in 22,843 members. In 1918, 
under the Chairmanship of Mrs. Montgomery Blair they brought 
in 37,824 members. 

In the spring of 1918 at the request of Mr. H. B. F. Macfar- 
land, Chairman of the Finance Committee, the Auxiliaries col- 
lected $133,000 by their various activities in booths, hotels, stores, 
windows and at theatres. In this drive the Motor Corps, Cleri- 
cal Corps, and Canteen Corps cooperated. 

The calls of the Coimnittee on the Auxiliaries for services were 
many and of great variety, from assisting at a sale of a cartload 
of onions in front of the Treasury to "manning" booths in the 
Capitol itself. During the whole week, one of intense heat by 
the way, the women worked without a murmur of protest. Early 
and late they labored in all sections of the city, simply for the 
Eed Cross, without any thought of credit, giving their time volun- 
tarily to the teams that were collecting in the District. It is hard 
to overestimate the value of the time they gave and the spirit 
with which they overcame any obstacles and bodily discomfort. 

In the Influenza Epidemic, the Auxiliaries did noble, unselfish 
work for the Emergency Committee appointed by the Chapter. 
Some of the workers assisted Miss Jacobs' force not only in cook- 
ing food for the sick and delivering it, but in furnishing lunches 
to the overworked doctors and nurses at the center. Some of the 
members took convalescents into their homes, some did motor 
service, others did volunteer nursing. Sixty-two thousand masks 



38 

were made at the Chapter workrooms and in Auxiliaries, and 500 
aprons for the Potomac Division. Despite all this emergency 
work, surgical dressings and sewing for the allotment on hand 
went steadily on. In mending in the camps, reclaiming garments 
for the Army, in work at the Walter Reed Convalescent House, 
and in making sample garments for the National Red Cross and 
the Potomac Division the Auxiliaries have been faithful and un- 
tiring. 

In reporting in a general way on the work of the Supply 
Corps there are two notable Committees whose asistance was of 
the greatest value ; the Packing Committee and the Committee on 
Information. 

The Packing Committee are all volunteers, who handled our 
hesivy boxes of incoming and outgoing supplies, packed, counted 
and stenciled them and procured our boxes from the Bureau of 
Engraving and Printing. If we had had to pay for the labor 
these gentlemen have given throughout the war, it is safe to say 
it would have cost the Chapter well over five thousand dollars. 

The work of the Information Committee at the desks has been 
one of the most valuable pieces of work rendered us. Only a few 
are mentioned in this report for the simple reason that the Roll 
of Honor is too long to print, but we all know well who will 
answer to that roll call and among the first are the patient, often 
sorely tried, guardians of the threshold. 

The clerical work of the Supply Corps was all given by volun- 
teers who worked early and late to keep the records and file the 
correspondence and reports. High up on the roll do those names 
belong. 

In the making of over 600 sample garments for Headquarters 
and in the handling of immense quantities of wool and small 
stores used by Auxiliaries, a most efficient and practically per- 
fect piece of work was done. One woman, unaided, sold and kept 
books for a business often running over $8,000 a month, as well 
as supervised the making of the sample garments by the Auxil- 
iary of which she was Chairman. 

This report would not be complete if special mention was not 
made of the fine spirit shown throughout by the Surgical Dress- 
ings Committee and their enthusiastic and loyal leaders. When 
their surgical dressings work was ordered stopped did they fold 



39 

their hands and call the work done ? They did not, but immedi- 
ately, under the leadership of their Chairman helped us with 
great zeal and fine results by taking charge of the Woman 's Com- 
raittee of our last Membership Drive. After this they turned 
their workroom into a sewing room and this report finds them 
still at work. 

All material has been bought at wholesale and turned over 
free to Auxiliaries or in a few instances where Auxiliaries were 
self-sustaining sold to them at exactly what the Chapter paid for 
it. We have expended in supplies exclusive of comforts and 
Christmas expense $166,293.14. 

In closing we wish to thank all the chairmen and their work- 
ers, who by their unfailing cooperation and support have made 
this record. It is owing to this fact, and this alone, that we are 
able to report today that not only have we filled every allotment 
given us on time, but like the immortal ''Oliver" ''we have 
always asked for more." 

GARMENTS AND LINEN SECTION. 
Mrs. F. F. Fletcher, Chairman. 

Practically all of the assembling of cut-out garments for the 
District, Chapter Auxiliaries was done at the Chapter House 
Headquarters. A group of faithful workers met three times a 
week for this purpose and much of the cutting was also done by 
them. 

The completed garments and linen were received at the Chap- 
ter Headquarters from Auxiliaries on Wednesdays and the cut- 
out articles given out at the same time. Special forms to be filled 
out were provided for the Auxiliaries so that records of work 
could be accurately kept and recorded. 

Wool for knitting was also sold or in certain cases given free 
through this section of the Supply Service. As shown in the 
general Supply Service report there were made : 

Garments and Hospital linens 290,419 

Knitted articles 36,642 



40 

SURGICAL DRESSINGS 

Mrs. Montgomery Blair, Chairman. 

This section of the Supply Service was most active and most 
efficiently maintained both as to quantity and quality of its work. 
Besides the two large Chapter Workrooms that it maintained, 
its management oversaw the work done in many Auxiliaries 
throughout the city. At the beginning it numbered 12 members. 
There are now 237 members. 

Number of surgical dressings made in main 
workroom 465,748 

Total inspected, wrapped and packed dress- 
ings 1,513,478 

The Auxiliary gave 300 sweaters to the Navy League; had 
charge of the Women's Auxiliaries in the second Membership 
Drive. When not occupied in making surgical dressings it aided 
in the making of refugee garments. At one time a special call 
was made upon the Chapters for surgical dressings for battle- 
ships and this section of the Red Cross finished its quota third 
in the country without the knowledge that a competition existed. 
It has continued to make surgical dressings for the Walter Reed 
Hospital. 

REPORT OF COMFORT COMMITTEE. 

Mrs. Henry R. Rea, 
Mrs. Danforth Geer, and 
Mrs. Jessie A. Hover. 
Chairmen. 

Previous to the reorganization and enlargement of the Com- 
fort Section of the Supply Service a Comfort Company, aided 
by various Auxiliaries and individuals, made and filled over 
4,000 comfort bags. The Magazine Committee, under Mrs. Wade 
Ellis, made several thousand hospital magazines which were 
gladly received for the hospitals here and at Camp Meade. 
Some of these were sent by post to our own base hospitals in 
Europe for Christmas. 

With the aid of the very efficient and large Auxiliaries more 



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A Surgical Dressings Group 




Preparing the Christmas Packages for Soldiers, Sailors and Marines 



41 

than 18,000 Christmas packages were prepared and forwarded 
from the Potomac Division Warehouse to Europe and different 
cantonments in this country. None of these packages were left 
for the 20,000 men in the camps about Washington and only 
about 8,000 packages remained in the Warehouse from the Chap- 
ters of the Division. Therefore, that the men in this vicinity 
should not be without some Christmas gift energetic Christmas 
Committees were appointed in the Women's Volunteer Aid. 
Mrs. Baker was Chairman of the one for the Army and Mrs. 
Daniels of the one for the Nav;v^. Christmas trees and decorations 
for the 14 camps ; military hospitals and Y. M. C. A. huts near 
or in Washington were provided. Twenty thousand little Christ- 
mas stockings made by the Junior League in the city were filled 
with candy, nuts, dates, etc. Twenty thousand packages of to- 
bacco were each marked with a Christmas label. In friendly co- 
operation with the Y. M. C. A. Secretaries, with whom it has 
always been a pleasure to work, committees of our women went 
on Christmas Eve to each of the camps and on Christmas Day 
to the hospitals. We were indebted to several churches for the 
pretty Christmas gifts prepared for the hospitals and in aiding 
in the celebration on Christmas Day among the sick men. 
Choruses of voices of the church choirs and from the War Camp 
Community Service sang the carols in which many of the men 
joined. The opportunity to wish each man a Merry Christmas 
and to give them a little Christmas remembrance made the day 
a happier one for many of our homesick soldiers and sailors. 

The Committee has had its own Headquarters at 1301 Con- 
necticut Avenue, where thousands of comfort bags for the sol- 
diers leaving for "Over There," for soldiers of our Allies, and 
for the men in the hospitals have been made and filled. Hospital 
magazines in great numbers, graphophone records, flowers and 
plants have been collected and distributed to the hospitals. The 
Committee furnished and equipped most of the rooms of the 
Eed Cross House at Walter Reed. The large room was furnished 
mainly from a contribution sent by Miss Margaret Wilson from 
royalties on her graphophone records which she always gives to 
the Red Cross. Many of the ladies of the Comfort Section have 
assisted in the duties of hostesses at this pleasant Red Cross 
House. 

It is impossible to make a detailed report of the large service 



42 

of this Comfort Section as it has been carried on often during 
a great stress of work, but it is quite safe to say that, including 
Christmas packages, stockings, comfort bags, bed side bags, hos- 
pital bags, laundry bags, comiort pillows, crutch pads, soap, 
combs, tooth paste, knitted articles, books, magazines, games, 
puzzles and musical instruments, but not including the great 
quantities of candy and cigarettes used for Christmas in 1918, 
it has received or made and distributed more than 200,000 arti- 
cles and that it has been the source of much real comfort both 
to our well and our sick and wounded soldiers. 

For Christmas, 1918, not only were Christmas celebrations and 
trees provided for the hospitals around "Washington, but again 
in cooperation with the Y. M. C. A. Secretaries Christmas was 
celebrated in all the camps of this vicinity. Christmas tree 
decorations were provided and on Christmas Eve groups of Red 
Cross ladies distributed candy and cigarettes to the men. Large 
quantities of cigarettes as well as tree ornaments were purchased 
for this celebration for our soldiers, sailors and marines. Five 
hundred dollars of the Christmas fund was given to the Home 
Service, which in connection with the "War Camp Community 
Service organized a Christmas celebration with a large tree in the 
rotunda of the Capitol for the children of the men of Washing- 
ton with our fighting forces who were overseas or in the camps 
of the country at that time. 

Supplementary Report for June, July, August and 
September, 1919. 

Articles distributed (including bags) _ 9,503 

Candy (not including that for Labor Day) pounds 90 

Cigarettes (not including those for picnics) 20,000 

Picnics 60 

Number of boys on picnics (approximately) 7,200 

The picnics were given for the boys from St. Elizabeth's, 
averaging 20 boys each trip. Besides the luncheons there were 
provided ginger ale, peanuts, cigarettes and chewing gum. 

Mrs. Montgomery Blair donated ice cream every Saturday. 

A large quantity of water colors, frames, cards, books, etc., 
were sent to the women patients at St. Elizabeth 's. 



43 

A school was started at St. Elizabeth's for the benefit of our 
boys who were imeducated. 

The Comfort Section took charge of the ice cream sale at the 
Central High School when the community center held dances 
four times a week, netting thereby $168.70. 

For Labor Day celebration at St. Elizabeth's there was pro- 
vided — 

For prizes 
150 gallons of ice cream 10 boxes chocolate 

500 pounds of cake 36 prizes for men 

550 pounds of candy 30 prizes for women 

5 barrels of apples 6 boxes special candy 

10 barrels of oranges 1 box cigars 

Total cost for celebration, $550.15 

SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT, SUPPLY SERVICE 
Mrs. I. W. LiTTELL, Chairman. 

Surgical dressings 500,000 

Refugee garments 51,800 

Comforts given out 14,000 

Glasses of jelly made 2,500 

Patients served in Diet Kitchen at Walter Reed 

for last two months 51,702 

Classes in hygiene 40 

Lunches given out to St. Elizabeth's men by 

Comforts Committee 810 

In addition to the above, the Comforts Committee has served 
3,600 people at St. Elizabeth's Hospital, has started a school 
there, and is providing the equipment and supplies for the women 
at St. Elizabeth's. They are also providing some of these for the 
men besides providing instruments for their band and for indi- 
vidual men, as well as supplying many comforts and pleasures 
for them. 

The members of tlie Corps have undertaken the sale of the 
' ' Come Back ' ' for Walter Reed with great success. At the time 
of the parade of the First Division, these women sold many 
thousand copies of the official program for the War Department, 
and in many ways served the men. We have also moved into 
our new Chapter House during this period, and the women have 



44 

seen to its complete furnisliing and equipment for many of the 
various activities of the Chapter— the Teaching Centre, First Aid, 
Comforts Section, Surgical Dressings, Sewing, Dietetics, Jelly 
Kitchen, ofBce and conference rooms — and have equipped an 
emergency kitchen as well as filled an emergency closet with 
clothing of all kinds, bedding, and hospital supplies. 

On the day of the parade of the First Division the Chapter 
kept open house and cared for many people. The Teaching 
Centre took charge of the four First Aid Stations in use at the 
time. 

At the time of the recent conference of the Potomac Division 
the Chapter gave a tea to about 125 of the members of the con- 
ference. 

The summer has been a very busy one, and the women of the 
Supply Corps have responded to the calls with remarkable energy 
and cheerfulness. 

Surgical dressings 2,013,478 

Garments 342,219 

RED CROSS KITCHEN. 

Mrs. Allyn K. Capron, Supervisor. 

(The Red Cross Kitchen was organized most efficiently by Mrs. 
Allyn Capron in connection with the Spanish War Auxiliary 
No. 1, April 14, 1917. Later, Jelly Kitchen, No. 1, was added. 
The Kitchen Committee financed its own work. One sub-station 
at Sandy Springs had as supervisors Mrs. Mahlon Kirk and Miss 
Frances Kirk. Sub-station No. 2 has been organized at Camp 
Humphries under the Alexandria, Virginia, Chapter.) 

The first year of the war the Spanish War Auxiliary No. 1 
conducted night classes in first aid for the girls employed during 
the day. 

Kitchen members 60 

Glasses of jelly sent overseas 9,458 

Glasses of jelly sent to the home Military 
Hospitals, Fort Myer, Walter Reed, Naval 
Hospital, St. Elizabeth's, Camp Humphries, 
American University Camp, Convalescent 



o 



td CO 



2 





a 



45 

House Walter Reed, Convalescent House 

Camp Humphries • 27,705 

Glasses of marmalade 11,410 

Total 48,573 

Membership Drive, 1918, new members 63 

War Fund Drive, 1918, collected $5,675.04 

and pledges amounting to several thousands 

of additional dollars. 
Total expenses of kitchens $279.00 

Funds were contributed generously to this 

Kitchen work. 

Too much credit can not be given the ladies who worked so 
hard through the hot summers to make this a success and who 
are still standing by the work and prepared to go on as long as 
the Red Cross needs it. 

Miss Mai Wyatt, who drove the truck for the Kitchen work, 
hauled also 2,100 pounds of clothing for the clothing drive and 
7,200 pounds for the salvage work. 

Supplementary Report for July, August and September. 

Jellies, jams and marmalades made and packed for 

the holidaj^ offering 2,088 glasses 

Apple sauce without sugar 12 gallons 

Fruit juices canned until sugar is cheaper 20 gallons 

Contributed to the Comforts Section for the 
luncheons given the men from St. Elizabeth's 

11 quarts marmalade 

Through Mrs. Kirk and Mrs. Poindexter we have given fresh 
fruits and 15 dozen glasses of jelly to individual patients at 
Walter Reed Hospital, also delivered one dozen large containers 
of jelly to the Red Cross Diet Kitchen at that hospital. 

We are doing our work through the hospital individually 
which gives the person0.1 touch to it and is more gratifying in 
results. 



46 

THE CLERICAL CORPS 

Miss Stella M. Osborne, 
Miss Anna C. Koepee, 
Chairmen. 

The Clerical Corps of the District of Columbia Red Cross. 
Chapter was formed in February, 1917, for the purpose of 
gathering together a band of trained clerical workers to assist in 
the office work of the Chapter House and of the National Head- 
quarters of the American Red Cross, under the leadership of 
Miss Stella M. Osborne of the Government Printing Office force,, 
with the rank of Colonel. At the request of Miss Mabel T. 
Boardman, Commander General of the Woman's Volunteer Aid,, 
and through the cooperation of the Chief Clerk's Inter-Depart- 
mental . Association, one woman employee in each Federal De- 
partment was nominated to represent the Corps in Red Cross 
activities. These representatives composed the Executive Com- 
mittee on clerical and office work. 

The organization was composed of the Colonel in command, 
Major, second in command, members of the Executive Committee, 
and four companies of 20 members and two officers each, mak- 
ing a total of 93 women, drawn from 19 Departments and Com- 
missions, some of the latter now having gone out of existence. 

The first work done by the Corps was in assisting with records 
of organization of the Uniformed Corps of the District of Colum- 
bia Chapter, distributing registration cards and filing them. 
The membership campaign of 1917 brought in. many thousand 
members, and the Corps gave its services in making out mem- 
bership cards for the files at the Chapter House. This work 
was done after the regular office hours and was largely handled 
at Branch Centers, at the various Departments. 

During the big drive of 1918, 57,000 envelopes were addressed 
for the Finance Committee, sending out 57,000 circulars and 
pledge cards, which brought in a return of over $50,000.00. All 
this work was done after office hours arid during the evenings. 
Many "reserves" were able to give time during the day but the 
regular Uniformed Corps was confined to the period after 4.30. 
However, the combined efforts of the two sections, ''reserves'^ 
and "regulars," made it possible to finish the work well within 
the time set for it. Also more than $2,000 were solicited during- 




msr. /' 



A Few of the Clerical Corps 




Transcribing Braille for the Blind Soldiers 



^ Thats Me All 

Ovei% Mable'* 
By 

E. Streeter 

Ti'anscriBed Into Re^^ised 
Braille Grade One and a Half 

By 
Lou Cox: 

M-Qmher o( Red Cross Class 
"Vaskiti^toji B. C. 
Mai-ck 1919. 

A Braille Page 



47 

the week at the Belasco Theatre, between the acts, at the evening 
performance, by the Clerical Corps and ' ' The Flying Squadron ' ' 
made up of volunteers from the various Auxiliaries in the Dis- 
trict. 

Through the registration for the clerical work the volunteer 
service of Mrs. Alfred M. Houghton, a skilled stenographer and 
typist, was obtained as Miss Boardman's secretary and for more 
than two years Mrs. Houghton has given the most faithful daily 
unremunerated service in this capacity. 

Through the same registration Miss Tina M. Skeer's volun- 
teer services as a trained librarian were given to National Head- 
quarters for more than six months of most valuable work. As 
the importance of the Library at the end of that time had so 
greatly increased she was regularly employed as Librarian. 

Other volunteer clerical aid of a like nature was obtained from 
time to time for the keeping of records and correspondence at 
the District Headquarters. 

While the main object of the Corps is clerical work, the activi- 
ties of the members are not confined to office details. In all 
parades in which the Red Cross has participated the Clerical 
Corps has taken its part and was much complimented on its good 
showing, both as to form and the color of the uniform. In the 
big demonstration parade in New York City in the fall of 1918, 
one Company made up of members from the various companies, 
kept up the reputation of the Corps. At Christmas time, both 
1917 and 1918, many members of the Corps did yeoman service 
in helping pack Christmas boxes for our men in the service, both 
Army and Navj'', and preparing articles for these packages. 

During the *'Flu" epidemic many members offered their ser- 
vices in the temporary hospitals, and for the house to house 
visiting nursing, after office hours, and did excellent work. 

In September, 1918, Miss Osborne resigned from command of 
the Corps owing to ill health, and for some months no one was 
appointed in her place. It was with great regret that her resig- 
nation was accepted, for she had endeared herself to all mem- 
bers of the organization. At a meeting of the Corps held in 
March, 1919, at Miss Boardman's residence, a new leader was 
elected. Miss Anna C. Koerper, Library of Congress, also a 
Major, second in command, Miss Blanche B. Brown, War De- 
partment, and it was deemed advisable to reorganize the Corps 



48 

on a new basis, forming a company in each of the larger Depart- 
ments, and combining members in smaller Departments into 
additional companies. When this plan is completed the Corps 
will have approximately 200 members. Each Company is to be 
divided into four squads each with a leader, thus relieving the 
Captains of a part of the duties of administration. So far, 46 
new members have been added and three companies organized. 
The first to complete its quota was the "War Department, with 
the Treasury Department a close second. The Library of Con- 
gress has also completed its quota, and it is hoped that other 
Departments will soon report full companies. The companies 
are lettered according to the official standing of the Departments, 
i. e. the State Department is "A", Treasury Department ''B", 
War Department "C", and so on. Under the new scheme the 
Captains form the executive committee, with the Colonel as 
chairman and the Major as acting chairman. 

At this meeting it was remarked that the Corps had had so 
little work to do within recent months. Whereupon, word was 
passed to the Chapter House that we were ready for work, and 
at once work was assigned to us. The membership drive of De- 
cember, 1918, had resulted in thousands of new members and 
these records had still to be transferred to cards for filing. The 
work was systematized and details of workers arranged for each 
day in the week. As time was short, it was finally arranged that 
the membership sheets should be assigned to each Captain and 
by her distributed to the members of her Company. In this way 
over 2,000 cards per week were turned in and the work has been 
completed ; also, assistance was being given in the filing of these 
cards. 

In addition to the work at the Chapter House, the Corps was 
called upon to assist National Headquarters in sending out no- 
tices for a memorial meeting for Miss Jane A. Delano, and this 
was done without interfering with the work at the Chapter 
House. 

At the Mass Meeting in the early part of this year several 
members of the Corps were awarded the Service Medal, and since 
then a number more have applied for them. 



49 

Braille Class. 

In November, 1918, Miss Boardman suggested that such mem- 
bers of the Corps as would be interested should be trained in 
Braille work, the raised type for the blind, in order to provide 
books for our blinded soldiers. Accordingly classes were formed, 
the first one meeting on November 6, 1918, with Miss Adelia M. 
Hoyt as teacher, herself blind. Mrs. Larz Anderson most gener- 
ously offered her house for these classes, of which there were 
four in the beginning with a membership of about 35. Some of 
these were not able to continue with the work, but so far 22 have 
completed the course and nearly that number are constantly at 
work, transcribing books, magazine articles and short stories for 
the use of the blinded soldiers at ''Evergreen," the Red Cross 
Institute for the Blind at Baltimore. The work still progresses 
under the leadership and guidance of Miss Hoyt, who is a mem- 
ber of the Corps. 

In reporting on the work Miss Hoyt writes : 

"I am enclosing a list of the work of the Clerical Corps in 
transcribing braille reading matter for the War Blind. One 
unfamiliar with the work can hardly realize the amount of time 
and labor this list represents. I feel that the girls have done 
remarkably well and the character of their work is among the 
best we have. I also enclose an extract from a letter concerning 
our magazine, ' The Washington Beacon, ' the first issue of which 
appeared Sept. 1st. The letter is from Mr. Moore, himself blind, 
and now at the head of the braille department at Evergreen. 
We feel quite proud of our magazine as I believe it is the only 
hand transcribed magazine in existence and I think it is the first 
one ever attempted. 

"And now a word about the future of the work. There is a 
feeling among some that the need of transcribing braille is past. 
In reality the need is greater now than ever. The men at Ever- 
green are just beginning to enjoy reading and are eager for 
material." 



50 

List of Books Teanscribed by the Braille Class of the 
Clerical Corps. 

« Washington, D. C. 

To Sept., 1919. 

Bailey, Martha — The Ranger and the Poacher. 

Beekwith, Laura — The Ranger and the Poacher, A Message to 
Garcia (2 copies), The Soul of a Crow and other articles, 
Salvation Army Success, Peace in Friendship Village, Qual- 
ity (2 copies). 

Bell, Lucy — A Message to Garcia (2 copies). The Lady or the 
Tiger? 

Brown, Edith — The Ranger and the Poacher (2 copies), A Mes- 
sage to Garcia (2 copies). The Queen. 

Canter, Naomi — The Ranger and the Poacher, A Message to 
Garcia (3 copies). 

Cox, Lou— That's Me All Over, Mable. 

Ford, Evelyn — The Ranger and the Poacher, A Message to 
Garcia (2 copies). Linings, Silver and Otherwise. 

Gilbert, Margaret — A Message to Garcia (2 copies), Getting Ac- 
quainted and Cupid and Conductorettes. 

Kidwell, Gertrude — A Message to Garcia (2 copies). 

Koerper, Anna — Two Pairs of Shoes, Sonny's Christmas. 

Smith, Jessie — The Ranger and the Poacher, A Message to Garcia 
(3 copies). Could You Use Three? The Lady or the Tiger? 
Through Clearing, The One Friend Jim Taylor Lacked. 

Van, Deventer — A Message to Garcia. 

Van Nest, Clara — A Message to Garcia, The Triumph of Night. 

Vordermark, Anna — The Ranger and the Poacher (2 copies), A 
Message to Garcia (2 copies). Scoot Henry, Messenger and a 
Perfect Gentleman of Pelham Bay Park. 

miscellaneous. 

Four Short Stories by 0. Henry. 

Tobin's Palm and the Memoirs of a Yellow Dog — Mrs. Beekwith. 

A Chaparral Christmas Gift — Edith Brown. 

One Thousand Dollars — Lucy Bell. 

Five Thousand Dollars Reward and a Four Cylinder "White 

Elephant — Mrs. Lourim and Miss Gilbert. 
Sense and Nonsense (Class). 
Short Articles in Prose and Verse (Class). 

The Washington Beacon, Braille Magazine (Class) (2 copies). 

Total, 2279 pages. 



51 

THE WASHINGTON BEACON, 

A Braille Magazine. 

Published by Members of the Clerical Corps, 

Washington, D. C, September, 1919. 

Contents. 

PAGE 

Editorial 1 

"For All We Have and Are" (Poem), Rudyard Kipling. . . 4 

The Story of Paper 10 

Making Farmers' Wives Efficient 17 

Current Topics 21 

A Psalm of Life (Poem) 30 

Question Box 32 

Father's Raise (Story) 34 

Venice and the Venetians 45 

Broken in the War, Message of Hope — Helen Keller 51 

Vandy's Cozy Corner 59 

A Friend or Two (Poem) 64 

Our Mistress the Sea 66 

A Little Nonsense 73 

Extract from Letter of William E. Moore, Red Cross 
Institute for the Blind. 

Baltimore, Md., Sept. 22, 1919. 

"After carefully examining the first number of the 'Wash- 
ington Beacon,' a copy of which has recently been received by 
us, I have nothing but the highest praise for its subject matter 
and tangibility. Try as I may, I can not suggest a single par- 
ticular in which the magazine could be improved, and I believe 
that those of our boys who are sufficiently conversant with 
Braille to read it with ease, will take to it like ducks to water. 
If you wish to appeal to the greatest number, as I am sure you 
do, I would suggest that you stress the fiction, the current topics 
and the humor; but by this I do not wish to be understood to 
advise that the special articles be eliminated. The magazine is 
excellent as it stands; and I trust that its character may con- 
tinue substantially the same. 

We appreciate the splendid work you are doing, and the whole 
Braille world owes you a debt of gratitude which can never be 
repaid. It is well to keep in mind that anything you may do 
will not only benefit the boys at Evergreen, but will prove of 
benefit to generations to come." 



52 

CANTEEN CORPS. 

Mrs. Larz Anderson 
Mrs. Mason Gulick 
Mrs. I. W. LiTTELL 
Commanding Officers. 

In March, 1917, Miss Boardman of the Chapter Executive 
Committee, asked Colonel (now General) J. R. Kean, U. S. A., 
Director of Military Relief at the National Red Cross Headquar- 
ters, if he would approve of the District of Columbia Chapter 
organizing a Refreshment Corps (later called Canteen Corps). 
General Kean heartily approved the suggestion and showed much 
interest in the work as it progressed. Mrs. Larz Anderson was 
requested to organize the Corps and take charge of the work. 
Mrs. Anderson, with her aids, made a careful survey of the situ- 
ation. A field kitchen that could prepare 160 gallons of coffee 
at once and a motor truck were purchased with other necessary 
equipment, the money being provided by special contributions. 
The Corps was organized with the following officers : 

Original Officers of the Refresement Corps 
April 9, 1917 

Mrs. Larz Anderson Miss Mary Sheridan 

Mrs. John Story Mrs. Corcoran Thorn 

Mrs. George Duncan Mrs. George Barnett 
Mrs. Dennis Nolan 

Officers of the Refreshment Corps when it "Went on 

Track 
September, 1917 

Col. Mrs. Mason Gulick Capt. Mrs. George Barnett 

Lt.-Col. Mrs. John Story Lt. Mrs. Corcoran Thom 

Maj. Mrs. George Duncan Lt. Mrs. Thomas Sweeney 

Capt. Miss Mary Sheridan Lt. Mrs. Edward Bonnaffon 

Capt. Mrs. George Vanderbilt Lt. Mrs. Dennis Nolan 

Its first call for ser\dce was to provide coffee and sandwiches 
for the men arriving for the officers' training camp at Fort Myer 
in May. In June, on a sudden late night call to meet the emer- 




Office in Background for Mail, Cigarettes and Chocolate 




Canteen Kitchen 



53 

gency that arose from the unexpectedly great numbers of old 
Confederate veterans who attended a reunion here, the Corps 
started at 8 the following morning with its field kitchen ready 
to serve more than 1,000 cups of coffee and provided with rolls 
for a like number of men. 

Somewhat later the Corps provided refreshments for the men 
on duty at the Registration Bureaus for military service. 

On August 28th, the Canteen Corps started its work on the 
tracks in the B. & 0. freight yard where the troop trains backed 
in from the station. It met all troop trains from 6 o'clock in 
the morning until midnight. So earnestly did the women work 
over the difficulties that existed that the railroad officials were 
deeply impressed and the superintendent of the Washington 
Terminal Company visited the Corps with offers of cooperation 
and assistance. He stated that at first the railroad officials were 
prejudiced against the women being on the tracks but that when 
these officials saw the importance of the work and were assured 
that the only idea in being there was to help the men they were 
anxious to assist in any way possible. The superintendent at 
once ordered a direct line of telephonic communication estab- 
lished between the troop train clerk and the tent which the Can- 
teen Corps at that time used as their headquarters. This put the 
work on a firm basis and from that time onward the Corps had 
absolutely correct information as to the movements of troop 
trains, day and night, and in this way was able to render a 24- 
hour service, the women frequently remaining on duty all night 
in emergency cases. This confidential information regarding the 
movement of troop trains was permitted by the War Depart- 
ment and was strictly guarded by the members of the Corps. 

The women worked in shifts. The first morning shift went on 
duty at 6 and this necessitated being up before 5 o 'clock both in 
summer and the dark winter mornings. The last shift at 6 
o'clock in the evening was often on duty until midnight or later. 
The Motor Corps rendered much valuable service in the trans- 
portation of the personnel. After working in tents a few weeks 
a station was built in the large switch yard close to the tracks 
for the further convenience of the Corps and later when the 
Bureau of Canteen Service was established at National Head- 
quarters it paid for moving this building to a better location and 
connecting it with a new hut so that it contained a kitchen, rest 



54 

room, office and hospital room. The Canteen Corps often served 
from 10,000 to 15,000 men in 24 hours and there were days when 
the number arose to 20,000. From September, 1917, to Septem- 
ber, 1918, 1,700,000 men passed through the Washington Can- 
teen ; some 563,892 pieces of mail were handled and about 1,000 
telegrams, including a number of official ones. It would be im- 
possible in this report to give an adequate idea of the varying 
services that were rendered to troop trains. Just one instance 
will throw some light on the way the Canteen Corps was able to 
meet emergencies. At one hour's notice, supplies amounting in 
value to $175.00 and consisting of bulky materials such as bar- 
rels of potatoes and sides of beef were ordered and delivered to 
the train. This was made possible by telephoning to the markets 
and using the Canteen trucks for transportation. The bill was 
made out for and the supplies were paid for by the Commissary 
Officer on the train. 

All troops passing through were served with coffee, sandwiches, 
crullers or buns, averaging about two pieces of food to each 
man. The difficulties in connection with this work and the 
handling of so many men at one time, can hardly be appreciated 
unless the Canteen was seen in operation. As many as nine train 
sections were often in the yards at once, and the speed and effi- 
ciency with which the women worked was quite wonderful. This 
could not have been done without confusion had it not been for 
the close cooperation of the troop train clerk, who kept them 
informed as to the exact time the sections would pull out of the 
yards. In bad weather the coffee and food were put on the 
trains. In good weather the troops came up to the Canteen, 
where they took advantage of the rest room, and magazines, post 
cards and stationery furnished them. Chocolate and cigarettes 
were sold them at cost. 

The emergency hospital room on the tracks was fully equipped 
and did some splendid work. Many minor operations were per- 
formed there by medical officers of troop trains, so that men 
bound for overseas were not detained by being removed and sent 
back to hospitals. Specially prepared invalid food was also 
taken on the trains for sick men en route. This work was done 
by members of the Corps having from six months to a year's 
training along these lines. The medical officers accompanying 
troop trains expressed their sincere admiration for the efficient 



55 

service made possible by the completely appointed hospital room. 
Quantities of medicines and supplies were furnished to doctors 
needing them, hundreds of men were transported to Walter 
Keed Hospital, sometimes by the assistance of the Motor Corps, 
and the services rendered in the emergency hospital room have 
in many cases saved lives. 

. In July, 1918, a Canteen room was opened at the Union Sta- 
tion in the Presidential suite through the kindness of President 
Wilson and Mrs. Wilson herself, in uniform, frequently assisted 
the Corps there. This room affords a splendid place for the 
men to rest, to read and write, play the piano, or listen to the 
vietrola. They are furnished with stationery, postcards, cigar- 
ettes and chocolate, and are served with coffee and sandwiches. 
There is an information desk, and the room is kept open day and 
night, including Sundays and holidays. An emergency hospital 
room was also opened there for the accommodation of soldiers, 
sailors and marines en route. This room has been in charge 
•of Red Cross Home Defense nurses, who volunteered their ser- 
vices for the work, and it is impossible to speak too strongly of 
the value of the services rendered by them, in cooperation with 
the members of the Canteen Corps. They not only have admin- 
istered to men in the service and civilians passing through the 
station, but they have rendered valuable assistance to the 
wounded passing through on hospital trains for other points, or 
to be detrained at Washington for Walter Reed Hospital or St. 
Elizabeth's. This hospital train service has been most impor- 
tant and has been carried on from the railroad station Canteen. 
The men have been served with whatever food is required. In 
some cases when there is time the men are brought from the train 
into the Canteen and given a hot meal there. Otherwise the 
women take the food down to the tracks and go on board the 
trains to serve the men. From July, 1918, to February, 1919, 
inclusive, 86 hospital trains were visited ; 10,659 men were served 
on the trains and 1,554 in the emergency room. To give an idea 
of some of the difficulties in arranging for these trains an exam- 
ple is cited. On October 8th, a hospital train was reported to 
arrive from Newport News at 7.45. It dropped back, through 
the night, and was variously reported to arrive at 10, then 12, 
and finally did arrive at 6 the next morning. All this time the 
nurses and members of the Canteen Corps waited, heating and 



56 

reheating the food they had prepared for the wounded men. 
The train was reported positively to arrive at 4 in the morning, 
so the women stood out on the tracks in the rain from 4 until 6, 
not daring to go back for fear it would arrive any minute. It 
was held up almost within the city limits, in back of a freight 
train. The women, feeling their way through unlighted trains 
to feed hot soup to blind and wounded men, were stirred by the 
patience and splendid spirit of these heroic soldiers, whose only 
complaint was that they had had to leave before the fight was 
over. The craving of the men for ice cream was always gratified 
much to their satisfaction. 

Often as many as 300 men were served, at short notice, in this 
Union Station Canteen, with hot supper, procured from the 
station restaurant. Those bound for points further on, and 
who are unable to leave the trains, are served with the hot meal 
on the train, and any assistance they need is given by the nurses. 
At Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners were provided at the 
Station Canteen for the soldiers, sailors and marines who visited 
the Canteen on those days. Each member of the Canteen is re- 
quired to serve on at least three shifts a week, one of which must 
be either very early in the morning or till late at night. They 
have never failed to be on the tracks at 6 o'clock in the morning, 
when troops were expected at that time, and for months this 
early service was continuous. 

Some idea of the magnitude and importance of the Canteen 
work may be realized from the following figures : 

From September, 1917, to September, 1918, the men 

served at the Hut in switch yards numbered. . . . 1,700,000 

The men served in October numbered 74,976 

The men served in November numbered 76,500 

The men served in December numbered 18,948 

The men served in January numbered 4,175 

The men served in Union Station from July, 1918, to 

February, 1919, inclusive were 141,827 

Add to this the number of men served on hospital 

trains 10,659 

And the number of men treated in hospital rooms. . . . 1,554 

From February 1st to June 1st, 1919, the number of 
men served in the Canteen room with coffee and 
buns 119,083 




Reading Room in Switch Yard Canteen 




Emergency Room in Switch Yard Canteen 



57 

With hot meals 1,993 

On troop trains with coffee and buns 10,745 

On hospital trains with hot meals 10.941 

Box hmches for Walter Reed or traveling- 
soldiers 2,171 

Cases treated in hospital room 740 

Total 2,074,312 

We can give these figures accurately, but the number of men of 
whom it was impossible to keep any record has been large enough 
to swell this total to very nearly two and a half million men 
served and treated during the period of the war. 

The sincerity and loyalty of the women of the Canteen Corps 
and their untiring devotion to duty at all times can not be too 
highly commended. 

SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT ON STATION CANTEEN. 

Report of the Canteen Service, District of Columbia Red Cross 
Chapter, for the period from February 1, 1919, to Septem- 
ber 30, 1919, inclusive. 

Mrs. Eldridge E. Jordan. 

During the period indicated the Canteen room, occupying the 
Presidential suite. Union Station, and the emergency hospital, 
adjacent thereto, both of which were opened in July, 1918, have 
been actively maintained. The former has served as a club 
room for soldiers, sailors and marines stationed in or about 
Washington, as well as a resting place for those who, after de- 
mobilization, were in transit to their homes. Here food and 
comforts have been provided, as also materials for writing, books 
and magazines for reading, facilities for receiving and dispatch- 
ing mail and telegrams, and a safe place for storing the baggage 
of those who wished to go sightseeing through the city. In the 
emergency hospital a large number of injuries and illnesses have 
been treated, including both such as occurred among military, 
naval and marine men passing through Washington, and among 
railway employees and needy passengers from civil life. Dur- 
ing the recent influenza epidemic this hospital was especially 
busy ; and the quick diagnosis and immediate treatment it made 
possible, together with the rapid and safe transfer to civil and 



58 

military hospitals of patients arriving in the city obviated much 
acute distress and unquestionably saved numerous lives. 

Among activities so varied as to embrace on the one hand 
such considerable things as the feeding of 9,500 marines on a 
single day, and on the other such trivial matters as the sewing 
of a button on a boy's coat, it is difficult to select any one par- 
ticular phase of Canteen work for special mention. But noth- 
ing could better illustrate the spirit in which this work is done 
than the care taken of the boys who, for a little change and re- 
freshment in mind and body, are brought to the city weekly 
from "Walter Reed Hospital — boys with all sorts, desperate and 
painful injuries ; whole groups of them, for instance, with dread- 
ful and disfiguring head wounds that render eating well nigh 
impossible, and for whom not only special food must be pre- 
pared, but who must actually be fed as little children are. 

And then there are the insane and shell-shocked boys from 
St. Elizabeth's Hospital, who are also taJien for an outing once 
a week, and are brought to the Canteen, where they are fed and 
comforted and cheered, and go away after a while a little better 
perhaps, and a little happier for what the Canteen has so gladly 
done for them. "Wonderfully grateful and touching letters have 
come back to us from such of these boys as have recovered and 
gone home again — ^letters that make the work of the Canteen 
seem immensely worth while. 

There is another matter — a matter which does not appear to 
have received adequate recognition and emphasis — which should 
be mentioned before closing this report. I refer to the direct 
and continuing influence the women of the Canteen have exerted 
upon the youth of the land — the moral influence, the subtle, re- 
straining, refining influence, an influence which they have exer- 
cised quietly, unconsciously, through their mere presence and 
example, and which has been operative without a moment's in- 
termissionn or cessation since the Canteen service was first in- 
augurated. Such a thing has never before been attempted either 
in war or peace. Its good effects can not be measured. They 
wUl extend on and on indefinitely into time. And it can be said 
with little fear of contradiction that the results of this influence 
upon the boys themselves, and through them upon their future 
wives and children, have been and will be the sparing of an 
illimitable amount of bodily, mental and spiritual suffering, and 



59 

the prevention of unnumbered deaths; and that in the benefit 
thus conferred upon those now living and upon all posterity, the 
Bed Cross has done a wonderfully salutary thing. 

UNION STATION CANTEEN, 

February 1 to October 1, 1919. 

In Canteen room (with coffee and buns) 313,460 

In Canteen room (with hot meals) 4,121 

On hospital trains (with refreshments or hot meals) . . 14,608 

On troop trains (with coffee and buns) 19,399 

Box lunches (for "Walter Reed patients or traveling 

soldiers" 4,861 

Cases treated in hospital room 1,409 



Total number of men served 357,858 

Previously served 2,074,312 

Total 2,432,170 

In closing this report I append herewith a copy of a letter 
received from a soldier living in Hartford, Conn., as a sample 
of the \ery many which have come to us from those who have 
been cared for in the Canteen: 

Mch. 17, 1919. 
My Dear Mrs. Jordan: 

Just a line to express my appreciation for the many acts of 
kindness bestowed upon me and my associates by yourself and 
the members of the Canteen. Words fail to express the admira- 
tion the boys have for the splendid work the Canteen is doing; 
for to lay aside entirely social obligations to minister to the 
wants of the boys in the service is, in my estimation, the greatest 
sacrifice women of your standing could have made. 

The "homey" feeling which seems to radiate at the Canteen 
was a life-saver to our boys, and I know they all wish you the 
greatest success in the continuation of your work. 

To the boys in the service the Red Cross stands for the purest 
form of American womanhood — they have been our greatest in- 
spiration. Our hats are certainly off to you. 

Thanking you personally for your interest in the boys, and 
wishing you the greatest success in your work, I am, 

Respectfully yours, 



60 

MOTOR CORPS. 

Mrs. J. Borden Harriman 
Mrs. Floyd P. Waggaman 
Mrs. David Fairchild 
Mrs. Charles D, Carter 
Commanding Officers. 

In April, 1917, the organization of the Motor Corps of the 
District of Columbia Chapter was placed in charge of Mrs. J. 
Borden Harriman. Certain Chapters had received assistance of 
volunteer motor service but with the exception of one or two 
there was little or no definite organization of such a service be- 
fore the war was declared. The District Chapter organized the 
first Uniformed Motor Corps in the American Red Cross, as it 
also organized the first Canteen Corps. Through energetic and 
active work by May 12th, Mrs. Harriman had organized five 
companies, each company consisting of a Captain, a Lieutenant 
and 10 privates, of whom one was a Sergeant. The cars were 
all the private property of the members of the Corps, their use 
and upkeep being donated by these members. The first ambu- 
lance which was ready at that time was secured by means of 
special contributions. The uniform adopted by the Corps was 
later adopted nationally for the Motor Service of the American 
Red Cross. Other ambulances were obtained either by purchase 
or gift, as were certain cars and trucks for the Corps work. 

The members qualified themselves for their service by taking 
courses in first aid and motor repair work; they received 
stretcher drills from officers of the 6th Engineers and became 
very skillful in lifting the injured, placing them on litters, load- 
ing and unloading ambulances and carrying the stretchers to 
hospitals and houses. This training proved most valuable dur- 
ing the influenza epidemic when the Corps handled and trans- 
ported great numbers of stretcher cases. The work of the Corps 
has included ambulance service for camps, hospitals, hospital 
trains and ships, Government Departments, Public Health Ser- 
vice and calls from private houses during the influenza epidemic. 
During the summer of 1917 ambulances of the Corps followed 
more than a dozen hikes of the various camps of the District!. 
These hikes started at 6 o'clock in the morning and the Corps 
followed with ambulances to pick up any disabled men. It 



o 





Motor Coki's Ofi-'ickks and Members 




On Ambulance Duty 



61 

also joined the men on their return march to render the same 
service. The ambulance also did valuable work in the camps 
around Washington, especially for Belvoir, and when one con- 
siders that the trip from Washington to Belvoir and then 
from Belvoir to Walter Reed Hospital and back was 55 miles, 
and that at that time the road to Belvoir was a corduroy road 
at best, a mud hole most of the way, the record is really aston- 
ishing. Sometimes as many as 40 or 50 men were carried in a 
month from these camps. On January 14th, the hospital ship 
'' Solace" brought some 200 patients to the Naval Hospital. The 
Motor Corps transported these patients to the hospital, for which 
we had a very gracious acknowledgment from the executive 
officer of the hospital. Dr. O'Malley. In April, 108 patients 
were transported to the hospital from the "Solace." In March, 
at the request of Mr. Pizzini, in charge of Motor Service at the 
National Headquarters, two members of the Corps, Miss Flor- 
ence Clark and Miss Mary Hartley, were sent to Halifax. Their 
destination was kept confidential. At Halifax they started the 
Red Cross Ambulance service. Their duties were to carry sick 
American soldiers and sailors arriving on the transports from 
the piers to the hospital. Also to answer any calls in the Cana- 
dian hospitals. Navy and Army Departments and the Canadian 
Red Cross. They were never out of uniform and on constant 
duty. An additional service was to carry the Canteen workers 
three times a day. The calls averaged 200 a month. Most of 
the cases were contagious diseases, mumps, measles, diphtheria, 
scarlet fever, etc. Miss Clark left after one month, when Miss 
Betty Mattison took her place. Miss Hartlej^ stayed three 
months. It was hard, strenuous work in weather that was cold 
and severe the first six weeks. 

The service of the Motor Corps during the influenza epidemic 
was especially fine and helpful. The calls for ambulance ser- 
vice were so constant and so frequent that members were on 
duty for 24 hours at a time, sleeping on cots so as to be ready 
for all emergencies. In spite of the danger of contagion some 
2,000 patients were handled, carried on stretchers and trans 
ported from the house to the hospital. Some of the members 
contracted influenza but fortunately with no fatal consequences. 

The corps has given transportation to National Headquarters, 
the Potomac Division, the District of Columbia Chapter, the 



62 

War and other Grovernment Departments. It has done trucking 
of the Chapter supplies, carrying materials, garments, surgical 
dressings, books, preserves, etc., and has been a great assistance 
in the drives for clothing and in the salvage work. At the time 
of the serious shortage of coal in the District which resulted in 
much suffering the Corps ambulances were properly protected 
and much of the coal donated by the Washington Post was dis- 
tributed in sacks to those in the greatest need. Transportation 
for members of the Canteen Corps to the switch yards was pro- 
vided, meaning often a 5 o 'clock morning start for the first shift 
and the transportation of the last shift sometimes after mid- 
night. 

For the Home Service of the Chapter a daily service of two 
cars in the morning and two in the afternoon has been given for 
this department's work for soldiers' families. 

The Potomac Division Field Directors have been taken on 
their tours of inspection to the various camps and hospitals about 
Washington and for National Headquarters officers and parties 
of distinguished guests, including the "blue devils" and Per- 
shing's men, who were here for the Liberty Loan Campaign, 
have been transported about the city. The Motor Corps aided 
the Confederate Veterans Eeunion and also the soldiers and 
sailors on their sight-seeing tours. 

Taking convalescent soldiers from the Walter Reed Hospital 
for drives, to theatres and other entertainments has been part 
of its regular duty and often hundreds of the soldiers are trans- 
ported a day by the Corps. 

As the work of the Corps increased it became necessary to 
provide its own quarters as it was impossible to rent sufficient 
space. On land loaned by Mrs. W. Murray Crane, on 16th 
Street above L, a suitable garage was built and later it was in- 
creased in size, the National organization paying part of the 
expense of this building as it so frequently used the services of 
the Corps both for itself and for the Potomac Division. 

After Mrs. J. Borden Harriman's departure for overseas ser- 
vice, Mrs. Floyd Waggaman became commanding officer and was 
later succeeded by Mrs. David Fairchild, who in her turn was 
succeeded by Mrs. C. D. Carter. Miss Florence Clark has been 
a most efficient adjutant of the Corps. 

The women of this Corps, officers and privates, have rendered 



63 

a remarkable and most devoted service. In the storms of win- 
ter and the heat of summer they have never faltered. Day in 
and day out from the earliest dawn and through the long night 
hours in times of stress they have stood by their posts of duty 
facing danger and epidemic in the transportation of contagious 
cases. They merit the highest commendation for their faithful 
and loyal work. 

There has been no more valuable service in the Chapter than 
that of the Motor Corps, and it is greatly to be hoped that this 
service can be maintained in the future. There is great need 
for just that type of service, and when the stress of work is 
reduced it may be possible to retain sufficient interest to main- 
tain the Corps on a permanent active basis. The Chapter must 
eventually own a garage for this permanent service. It should 
be established in proximity to the Chapter House. 

A few letters of appreciation of the splendid service done by 
the Motor Corps are quoted below : 

Walter Reed General Hospital, 
Takoma Park, D. C. 

November 20, 1917. 

I can not allow the excellent work which you are doing for 
our patients to continue any longer without at least a word of 
aiopreciation. 

You are helping along lines that our own facilities do not 
permit of. 

In taking the chronic patients and convalescents out for drives 
in the fresh air and sunshine you contribute not only to their 
happiness but also to their recovery. 

I am sure that they appreciate, as I do, the unselfish service 
you are rendering them and our country. 

Yours sincerely, 

William G. Mann, 

Colonel, Medical Corps, 
Commanding. 



U. S. Naval Hospital, 
Washington, D. C. 

April 15, 1919. 
In behalf of this hospital, I beg to thank the officers and mem- 
bers of jowr organization for the valuable services rendered the 
hospital yesterday. 



64 

* At our request you furnished transportation for one hundred 
and eight patients from the hospital ship "Solace" at the Navy- 
Yard to this hospital. Of these patients, twenty were stretcher 
cases and five were on crutches. The transfer was accomplished 
in one hour and fifteen minutes by means of ten of your motor 
cars and ambulances. 

The efficiency of your organization as manifested by the pre- 
cision and celerity and the military bearing of its representa- 
tives engaged in this work excited the admiration of the hospital 
staff and the many spectators. 

Very respectfully, 

Philip Leach, 
Captain, M. C, U. S. Navy, 
Commanding. 



Red Cross Convalescent Hospital, 
Walter Reed Hospital 

May 8, 1919. 
May I take this opportunity of thanking you for the splendid 
cooperation you give us at "Walter Reed. I really don't know what 
we would do without your aid. 

Your girls are so uniformly courteous and considerate of every- 
one and do their service with such spirit that no doubt some of us 
do impose upon them at times. For that very reason, however, I 
want you to know that we are deeply appreciative of all the good 
work you have done for us. 

Most cordially yours, 

(Capt.) McCall Lanham, 
Associate Director of Recreational Activities. 



April 18, 1919. 
The Medical Society of the District of Columbia at the meeting 
held Wednesday, April 16, 1919, passed a resolution of appre- 
ciation for the services rendered by the Ambulance Service dur- 
ing the past few months and especially during the Influenza 
Epidemic. 

Very truly yours, 

J. Russell Verbrtcke, 
Corresponding Secretary. 



Accept my sincere thanks for the courtesy extended to His 
Eminence Cardinal Gibbons on the occasion of the dedication of 



65 



the Knights of Columbus Hall. Asking God's blessing upon the 

noble work of your little corps, I remain, 

Fraternally yours, 
Lieutenant John "W. Daily, U. S. A., 
Chaplain "Walter Eeed General Hospital. 



May 7, 1918. 
I want to take this opportunity to express to you, and to the 
members of your Corps, the sincere thanks of the Directors of 
the National Capitol Horse Show. 

Your representatives were always present on time, and 
throughout the entire week, not only did all that was required, 
but certainly demonstrated most markedly their excellent train- 
ing. 

I felt that this was a good deal to ask of you and them, but the 
wholehearted way in which the service was rendered has natur- 
ally made a very strong impression upon me. 
Very sincerely yours, 

Larkin W. Glazebrook, 
Director of the Bureau of First Aid, Potomac Division. 



April 25, 1919. 
Dear Workers : 

I feel that I want to write you a few lines^ to tell you how much 
I appreciate the lovely service which you gave me in taking my 
daughter (Ruth) from George Washington Hospital to the 
Union Station, 

I had had so much sickness and trouble there in Washington 
that this service you rendered for me was especially appreciated. 
While I may never be able tO' return to you a like favor I desire 
you to know that I shall try and pass the favor on to some one 
who may be in need of service. This, as I understand it, is Red 
Cross work as intended by the organization. Mrs. Sheldon and 
Miss Ruth join with me in sending you our heartfelt thanks. 
Most sincerely yours, 

Wallace B. Sheldon, 

Conneautville, Pa. 



U. S. Naval Hospital 

January 15, 1919. 
May I take this opportunity to thank you for the assistance 
given us yesterday and today in transferring patients from the 
IT. S. S. Solace to this hospital. 



66 

Your aid made what would have been a long drawn out and 
tedious procedure, a short, and I am sure, to many of the men, a 
happy one. 

Sincerely yours, 

W. B. Groveb, 
Commanding. 



THE JUNIOR RED CROSS. 

Miss Anne M. Goding, 
Chairman. 

(The Junior Red Cross of the District of Columbia has proved 
itself a fine example of what this branch of work among children 
may accomplish. That the first value lies in the training of 
children in service to others is obvious. The future of the Red 
Cross depends upon the children of today. Miss Anne M. God- 
ing, the Chairman of the Committee of the Junior Red Cross, 
has proved herself a most efficient and devoted officer. To her, 
the other members of the Committee, the teachers and the child- 
ren, its great success is due.) 

The President of the United States by a proclamation to the 
school children of the nation called them into service under the 
American Red Cross naming them the Junior Membership of that 
organization. This proclamation set forth the opportunities for 
service by organization, in that children together might save in 
order that suffering children elsewhere should live, that they 
might prepare supplies for the wounded and homeless, and, best 
of all, that they might learn by doing kind things under their 
^'teacher's direction to be the future good citizens of this great 
country which we all love." The President commended to the 
school teachers the simple plan worked out for their Junior Mem- 
bership by the American Red Cross that all might work together 
for service guided by high and religious ideals. In immediate 
response to this call meetings of teachers and school officials, pub- 
lic, private, and parochial, white and colored, were called and 
were addressed by Miss Mabel T. Boardman, who submitted 
American Red Cross Circular No. 600 embodying the President's 
Proclamation and rules adopted for the Junior Membership, 
authorized for the Juniors under the direction of Dr. H. N. Mac- 




Junior Red Cross — Instructors and Pupils Who Made the Table and 
Chairs tor French and Belgian Eefugees 
(Smallwood-Bowen Manual Training School) 




Junior Red Cross — Family of Eefugees Staged in School Yard 
(Smallwood-Bowen School) 




Junior Bed Cross — Chests and Taules Made for Hospitals and Camps 
(Smallwood-Bowen School) 




Junior Eed Cross — Special Bedside Tables for Walter Eeed Hospital 

(Ten made) 
(Smalhvood-Bowen School) 



67 

Cracken, National Director of Junior Membership. After the 
general meetings a committee of 25 members was appointed by 
the Executive Committee of the District of Columbia Chapter, to 
determine the policies of the "Washington school auxiliaries and 
to decide upon plans for the dissemination of information, the 
securing of memberships, and the execution of work assigned by 
Red Cross authorities. 

It was decided that a school should be admitted to full member- 
ship as a junior auxiliary with a certificate engrossed by the 
School Committee when the school should have raised a sum of 
money equal to one-fourth its enrollment. Money raising is a 
discouraging process when it comes by pennies. Therefore, the 
School Committee decided that a card of enrollment for the school 
and a Red Cross button for each pupil should be sent to a school 
when it sent an application for membership, accompanied by a 
pledge that the quota should be raised during the school year, this 
pledge signed by the principal of the school and one teacher act- 
ing as its treasurer. Mrs. Henry H. Flather accepted the posi- 
tion of Secretary-Treasurer of the District Junior Membership, 
Miss Anne M. Goding was appointed as its Chairman, and the 
"Wilson Normal School designated the official headquarters. Ap- 
plications came in rapidly, membership cards or certificates were 
issued and monthly reports as to finances and articles completed 
showed remarkable activity. That this activity was actuated by 
the spirit of high loyalty and loving self-sacrifice is shown by let- 
ters from the children and reports to their teachers telling their 
naive ways of raising and saving money. K'.indergartens, grades, 
special classes, and high and normal schools worked together, 
public, private and parochial, with equal loyalty and devotion, 
their accomplishments progressing from the snippings to fill 
comfort pillows and the silver and gold paper chains for the 
soldiers' Christmas trees by the youngest, to finished hospital 
garments by the most proficient. 

The funds collected were spent for materials made up by the 
children and were given in response to two calls. One hundred 
dollars was turned over to the Tuberculosis Association for the 
Health Crusade so popular among the children of Washington, 
carried on under the auspices of the Junior Red Cross and the 
National Tuberculosis Association. Five thousand dollars was 



68 

turned over to the American Red Cross, National Headquarters, 
to become a part of the National Children's Fund to be spent for 
the children in the devastated countries. There remains in the 
treasury today $1,204.45 which will be materially increased be- 
fore July 1st. 

The lists of articles completed indicate only a part of the work 
of the Juniors, for they were always ready for service. At the 
Potomac Division headquarters almost every afternoon in the 
year was to be seen a group of typists and accountants from the 
Business High School, one of our leading auxiliaries, busily at 
work. Other near-by schools were called upon also by the Divis- 
ion for errands and help in emergencies, out of school hours. The 
Central High School held itself ready to work for the Comforts 
Section, sewing, making OA^er or packing. This school made gar- 
ments and supplies to be sent as samples to the schools of our 
foreign auxiliaries under the direction of the National Head- 
quarters. All printing on stationary, cards, and forms used for 
the Junior membership was done in the print shops of the Central 
and Dunbar schools. 

One service highly valued by those interested in the happiness 
of our men in service was the children's participation in the mak- 
ing of their Christmas. The Christmas committee needed 20,000 
little Christmas stockings, one for each soldier and sailor in the 
camps near Washington. These the school children made in less 
than three weeks. Tree ornaments were needed and the kinder- 
garten children furnished the required quantities of gold and 
silver paper chains and red balls and older children gave as a 
sacrifice ornaments that they would have used on their own trees. 
High and older grammar school children went in relays to help 
the committee fill the stockings, all happy in the thought of giv- 
ing pleasure to the men away from home. 

The money raised by each auxiliary was placed in charge of 
the treasurer of that school and was disbursed by her for the pur- 
chase of materials from which articles were to be made, large 
amounts being bought at reduced rates directly from the Potomac 
Division supply rooms through the office of the School Commitee 
Treasurer, Mrs. Flather. Conservation of the old was considered 
also, and hundreds of pounds of partially worn linen and cotton 
cloth were made over into handkerchiefs, napkins, tray cloths,. 



o 



3 S 



Ed td 

CO '^ 

CO a 

g Q 




x,a€ 1 . ic .■ v-i 



69 

dusters, and similar articles. Pieces too small for other uses were 
supplied to fill pillows for hospitals. Money for purchase of 
materials was earned by salvage through collection of newspapers 
and tin foil, but no special emphasis was given to this feature and 
the collection of old clothing was not considered generally prac- 
ticable in public schools. 

The District of Columbia Chapter of the American Ked Cross 
set aside a monthly budget for the purchase of Red Cross buttons 
for junior membership and for certain overhead expenses, such 
as typewriter, stationery, postage, etc. 

All work connected with the Junior membership of the District 
has been from volunteers and no expense has been incurred for 
office rooms. 

During the first year of work the boys in school had little to 
do except raise money for the purchase of the materials, do 
errands, perform clerical work and the like. But before school 
opened in the fall of 1918 definite direction for manual training 
work had been sent out by the National Director of Junior Mem- 
bership, lumber had been purchased with financial assistance from 
the District of Columbia Chapter and plans so made that the boys 
started the first day of school along lines of work highly valuable, 
for hospitals, camps, and deserted homes. The work completed 
by June 1st is indicated in the itemized report, but by far the 
larger quantity is still in the shops, to be forwarded at the end 
of the school year, July 1st. The most interesting articles now 
under construction are for refugee homes in France and Belgium, 
these articles to be sent abroad knocked down ready for assem- 
bling on the other side. This work has been accomplished under 
the direction of Mr. John A. Chamberlain of the Washington 
Schools, in charge of this line of work in the Potomac Division 
as well as in the District. 

The affiliation of private and Catholic schools of the city with 
the public schools has been the source of much pleasure and profit 
to the Junior leaders. The Juniors are also pleased to have 
been a central clearing house on materials worthy of conservation. 
Many of the hospital supplies listed were made from hundreds of 
pounds of the old linen and cotton goods sent by the Daughters 
of the American Revolution. The Hydrographic Bureau of the 
Navy Department gave hundreds of pounds of material stripped 



from tlie back of maps, some of which was used for hospitals and 
part of which is being reserved for the making of nigs allotted 
by the Potomac Division. The Surgical Dressings Committee 
have found the Junior Headquarters a clearing house for 
squares of cotton material coming to them as wrappings thrown 
aside by that center in the final packing. Of these have been 
made underwear for refugee children, and hospital supplies. 
The value of conservation was deeply felt and by some schools a 
large part of their funds was raised through newspaper sales and 
melting pots. One grade school raised more than $260 in this 
way. 

The Juniors are always ready to lay aside their own interests 
and throw ardent spirit into working for the mother organization 
or in any other drive for war work. The public schools raised 
$23,000 in the Red Cross Drive of last spring and turned in a 
large sum for the United War Work Fund in the autumn of 1918. 
One private school, the Mt. Vernon Seminary, at its Class Night 
raised through Junior Red Cross enthusiasm the sum of one 
thousand dollars which it sent to the District Chapter as a gradu- 
ation gift. 

The activity of the children and the leadership of the teachers 
has been more vital in Junior Red Cross than the most optimistic 
could have foreseen. Teachers worked first in obedience to the 
President's call to service, but later and to the end of the school 
year, because they saw the effects of unselfish service in the lives 
of their children. Their school work has been vitalized, the 
spirit of brotherly kindness has been fostered, and a nearness of 
teacher to pupil has been created that leads to understanding. 
With its slogan 75% education, 25% material results, the Junior 
Red Cross is well worth while. 

ENROLLMENT 

Public Schools, number 140 

Private Schools, number 11 

Parochial Schools, number 5 

Children total number 53,105 

MONEY RAISED 
Total amount $27,989.18 



71 

ARTICLES COMPLETED 

Refugee garments 8,584 

Hospital garments and linen 13,515 

Knitted garments 5,711 

Manual training, including bed-side tables, 

chests, screens, rugs, etc 457 

Comforts, including Christmas stockings, hos- 
pital magazines, pin balls, etc 39,238 

Influenza masks 1,320 



Total number of articles made by Junior Red 
Cross 68,825 

THE D. 0. RED CROSS CHAPTER WORK DURING 
INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC. 

Mabel T. Boardman, 
Chairman of Committee. 

< At the time of the influenza epidemic the city was divided into 
four zones, numbered 1, 2, 3, and 4, by the Federal Health au- 
thorities for the purpose of providing medical and nursing care. 
The headquarters of each zone was located in a school house as 
the schools were closed because of the epidemic. The General 
Headquarters were also located in the school of Zone No. 3. The 
Zone itself was administered as a separate entity as were the 
other three. To headquarters were referred all the calls for 
medical and nursing aid and from headquarters these calls were 
transmitted to the zone for response in which the patient resided. 

Chapter Activities. 

Acting under the direction of the Potomac Division a Chapter 
Influenza Committee was appointed at the beginning of the epi- 
demic and had frequent meetings while it prevailed, authorized 
different activities and received weekly reports. 

Recruiting Station. 

Forttinately the Chapter was able to secure large office space 
on the ground floor of a building located at the comer of two of 
the most important business streets. Here, under the charge of 
Miss Fanny Clement and Miss Anna Greenlees, the latter the 



72 

head of the D. C. Teaching Center, was established a very effi- 
cient recruiting station for nurses, nurses aides, practical nurses, 
household helpers, clerical assistants and motor service for carry- 
ing physicians and nurses. At this station were recruited : 

Graduate nurses 88 

Undergraduate nurses 139 

Practical nurses '78 

Nurses ' Aides 97 

Household helpers 1,028 

Investigators, seamstresses, etc 27 

Physicians 12 

Pharmacists 5 

Male helpers 21 

Clerks 346 

Diet Kitchen workers 103 

Motors 108 

Household helpers were sent to families where the mother was 
ill and there was no one to care for the children and prepare 
food for the household. 

From October 8th to October 14th, inclusive, all registrants at 
the Emergency Station were referred to either the Potomac 
Division of the Red Cross or to the Headquarters of Public 
Health Service at Webster School. On October 15th, the Emer- 
gency Station became the central assigning agency for recruits, 
requisitions for nurses and all other helpers being received from 
the Public Health Service, the government hospitals, the local 
hospitals and convalescent homes. 

(Parenthetically it may be observed that the information 
secured at this recruiting station proved of great value in 
in the nursing survey.) 

On an appeal from the Chairman of the Chapter to the heads 
of the large Government Departments to liberate as many as 
possible of the employees who were trained nurses or otherwise 
qualified to act in a nursing capacity a most generous response 
was secured, some 500 Government employees being permitted 
to offer their services. 



73 

Motor Corps Service. 

From October 1st to October 30th the Motor Corps handled 
836 ambulance cases. Besides the corps ' regular ambulances two 
were loaned by the Army Ambulance Experimental Station. 
Two drivers, three mechanics and two sailors were detailed to 
the Corps during the worst of the epidemic and several men 
from the Army Medical School volunteered their aid. Instead 
of sending with the women drivers a woman orderly a soldier or 
sailor was frequently sent as many of the patients had to be 
carried on stretchers which were difficult for two women to 
handle alone. 

A number of motors were provided for the transportation of 
physicians and nurses but none of this work was permitted to 
interfere with the regular service for the transportation of can- 
teen shifts, home service workers or drivers for convalescent 
soldiers. 

The initiative often shown under trying conditions by the 
members of this Corps is highly to be commended. Three of four 
were on duty all night at the garage. One or two cases may be 
cited to show the exigencies that sometimes arose. 

One night an ambulance driver hesitated to accept a mori- 
bund or apparently dead person but yielded on the plea of the 
woman's husband to take her to an emergency hospital. On ar- 
riving there the physician pronounced the woman dead and 
would not accept her. The ambulance driver returned to the 
home where the husband, very ill himself and with two sick 
children on his hands, begged that the body be taken to the un- 
dertaker's. The undertaker could not receive it without the 
certificate of death and- said beside that his morgue was full. 
The ambulance driver returned to the hospital, obtained the 
death certificate and finally in the early morning hours she 
aroused the keeper of the city morgue and left her pathetic 
burden. 

Another ambulance driver was sent after midnight to take a 
severely ill man to the hospital. Finding he was unwilling to 
leave his wife and several children who had also developed in- 
fluenza she drove to the hospital, secured the consent of the 



74 

physician in charge to take them all and never stopped in her 
faithful service until each member was safely in the hospital. 

Zone Kitchens. 

In Washington because of the war conditions the congestion 
was appalling. A large number of girls lived three or four in a 
room in boarding or lodging houses. Many of them in case of 
illness were unable to obtain food where they were located and 
had to go out for their meals. Under such conditions the epi- 
demic spread rapidly and the question of providing food for 
these patients became a very grave one. Entire families were also 
ill with the disease, in which case the food question presented an 
additional problem. 

As soon as the Zone Centers were established the chief nurse 
was authorized by the Chapter Emergency Committee to order 
for each zone as much milk as was required to provide for such 
cases in that zone. 

A conference of the church auxiliary heads was promptly 
called by the Chairman of the Woman's Volunteer Aid of the 
Chapter to obtain information as to whether in each zone kitch- 
ens could be found attached to parish houses^ or church parlors. 
Temporary committees in each zone were organized in connec- 
tion with the kitchen in which the following day broths were 
prepared for sick patients and lunches for the nurses on duty. 
These temporary committees were succeeded by a permanent or- 
ganization in charge of the District Superintendent of Home 
Economics, Miss Emma S. Jacobs, who volunteered her services 
and whose report on this valuable work is given as supplement- 
ary to this report. 

Supply Service. 

The Supply Service of the Chapter provided 62,039 masks for 
local service and for army hospitals in Washington and canton- 
ments in the Potomac Division. For the emergency hospitals, 
one established by the National Red Cross and one by the Fed- 
eral Government, and for the Zone workers were provided 390 
gowns, 185 caps, 265 bedside bags, 192 curtains, laundry bags, 
sheets, pillow cases, bath robes, pajamas, hospital shirts and 



75 

towels in large numbers. These and the masks were made in a 
few days' time, many of the Supply Service members, working 
days and evenings to fill the urgent need for these articles. The 
Chapter also accepted for the Potomac Division an additional 
order to make 1,152 canvalescent robes and 1,152 pajamas to 
take the place of the garments given out by the Division for use 
in the recent epidemic. Through the Chapter there were pro- 
vided in addition 183 purchased, donated and loaned thermos 
bottles, about 100 leather or paper nurses' bags, 8,000 paper nap- 
kins and towels besides various other articles. 

Convalescent Homes. 

A large pleasant room in Neighborhood settlement house was 
loaned to the Chapter for a convalescent ward for men. It was 
equipped by two ladies who also provided a trained nurse and 
the services of two cooks were likewise given by one of these 
generous women and a friend. A man volunteered from one of 
the Departments to act as hospital orderly, A dozen or more 
convalescent men were cared for here but there did not appear 
to be any great need for a convalescent home for men and after 
two weeks it was closed. 

The offer of Bethany Chapel by the New York Avenue Pres- 
byterian Church for a convalescent home for women war work- 
ers was gratefully accepted by the Chapter. As this chapel had 
been used for sleeping accommodations for soldiers it was equip- 
ped with cots, linen and blankets. A number of cots were taken 
out to leave more room and provision was made for 25 patients, a 
matron and one or two assistants. The building contained a 
lounging room and a small adjoining room was utilized for a 
kitchen where gas stoves and an ice chest were installed. Dur- 
ing the three weeks that this was used 48 convalescent young 
women were cared for in this house. With the exception of two 
paid workers, one of whom was employed for a short time only, 
all service was voluntary. Most capable assistance was given by 
a young woman from the Agriculture Department. The ladies 
auxiliary of the church that gave the use of the chapel took 
charge of the home most efficiently. The many delicacies, etc., 
prepared and brought to the home through this auxiliary greatly 
reduced the cost of the upkeep. The meats, vegetables, groceries, 



76 

milk, eggs and drugs amounted to less than $200 for the three 
weeks with an average attendance of over 20 patients. 

The need for this convalescent home and its value cannot be 
over-estimated. The young women cared for there came either 
from the hospitals or lodging houses where during the serious 
period of their illness a room-mate or someone from the Public 
Health service gave them partial care but during the convales- 
cence it was not possible to secure such care or provide proper 
food to enable them to regain their strength. 

In acknowledging the assistance of the District of Columbia 
Red Cross Chapter, Dr. H. S. Mustard of the Federal Public 
Health Ser^dce wrote: 

"As Medical Officer in Charge of Public Health Service oper- 
ations in the District of Columbia, I wish to thanl^ you for the aid 
extended by your organization in combating the influenza epi- 
demic. It was only through such whole-hearted cooperation as 
exhibited by you that we were enabled to extend real aid to the 
sufferers in this District. I assure you that your assistance is 
deeply appreciated. '" ' 

SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT OF BROOKLAND 
AUXILIARY. 

Mrs. Joseph Fletcher, Chairman. 

During the epidemic of the influenza the Brookland Auxiliary 
cooperating with the St. Anthony's unit of the Roman Catholic 
"War Relief bought comfort and relief to many stricken house- 
holds. About 100 families were visited. A corps of efficient 
women each day made extract of pure beef juice, chicken, lamb 
and mutton broth, custards, blanc mange and jellies. Daily 
these articles with milk, eggs and fruits were taken to about 50 
homes and given to about 80 patients. Nurses and nurses' aids 
were secured for about 10 families. Members of the Auxiliary 
did night as well as day nursing. Children not ill were 
taken to private homes and cared for. Ten automobiles were 
offered and kept in constant service. Quantities of old linen 
were distributed and 200 paper napkins, 15 cotton bed pads and 
100 masks were made and used. 

Money amounting to $88.00 was given by individuals to carry 
on this work so neither the Brookland Auxiliary nor the St. An- 
thony's "War Relief were financiallv taxed. 



77 

FOOD REPORT. 

Miss Emma S. Jacobs. 

I was placed in charge of this work on Saturday, October 12, 
but had prepared the luncheon for the doctors and nurses 
stationed at the Curtis school on Friday, October 11. 

The zone headquarters were at the Curtis, J. 0. Wilson, Web- 
ster and Van Ness Schools and were known as Zones 1, 2, 3 and 
4 respectively. Later headquarters were established at the Arm- 
strong school for the colored people. This I have called Zone 5. 
In connection with each zone center were established centers for 
the preparation of the broth for patients, and lunches for doc- 
tors, nurses and other workers. These centers were located at 
the Wisconsin Avenue Manual Training School, the J, 0. Wil- 
son School, the Calvary Baptist Church, the B. B, French Man- 
ual Training School, the Armstrong Manual Training School 
and the Department of Agriculture. The Food Administration 
furnished the broth sent out from the Curtis School and for one 
or two days during the height of th epidemic supplemented the 
supply at the Webster School. In addition to the food prepared 
at these points many persons prepared dishes in their own homes 
and contributed them to the cause. Among these were Mrs. 
Miller and Mrs. Gleason who contributed custards, jellies and 
other dainties; and the Red Cross Unit at Falls Church which 
contributed to the lunches served at the Curtis School. 

Except in the case of the J. 0. Wilson the preparation centers 
were separate from the zone headquarters so the broth and 
lunches had to be sent to the zone centers and arrangements 
made to bottle the broth and serve the lunches. There were so 
many at the Webster center to be served with lunch that finally it 
was found easier to have this served at the Calvary Baptist 
Church. Utensils were provided at each place to cleanse and 
sterilize the dishes and containers. Thermos bottles and fruit 
jars were used to send the broth to the patients. Milk was sent 
in the bottle supplied by the dealer. The milk, broth, oranges, 
eggs and other food supplies were carried to the patients by the 
nurse or doctor at the time of the morning and evening visit, ex- 
cept in two zones where a committee of two took the orders from 
the doctors and nurses, listed them, saw they were made ready 



then packed them in an automobile and personally distributed 
the fodd and collected the containers. This was by far the most 
satisfactory way, for fev/er containers were broken or lost and it 
was possible to keep an absolute record of the food delivered. 
When the containers were returned they were thoroughly washed 
in suds then in boiling water, the corks and covers being boiled. 
Ice chests were loaned by the Public Schools to keep the food 
over night at the centers. 

Noon and night lunches were prepared for an average of 40 
persons per meal for each center. This lunch consisted of a hot 
substantial dish, sandwiches, a hot beverage and fruit or a dessert. 
(The meat from, the broth was utilized to make the hot dishes 
and sandwiches.) As there was more of this than could be 
so utilized, the balance was disposed of in the following manner 
— some was made into thick stew with vegetables and sent to fam- 
ilies where the mother was sick and unable to prepare food for 
the children ; some was sent to charitable institutions such as St. 
Ann 's Infant Asylum, Foundling Home, Breun Home and one or 
two orphanages; some was sold to the Animal Rescue League 
and some made into mincemeat. The mincemeat was made at 
the B. B. French School and sent to the "Walter Reed Hospital. 
The fruit and other materials for it were contributed by one of 
the Units interested in the work at the hospital. The workers at 
the B. B. French center remained after hours to prepare the 
mincemeat. A hogshead of it was made. 

The service of the lunches made it possible for the doctors, 
nurses and other workers to do much more work than would 
otherwise have been possible. They were not obliged to go to the 
crowded lunch places where they would have to stand in line for 
many minutes before being served, nor were they compelled to 
spend valuable time going long distances to their homes. It was 
essential that they have hot, nourishing food and a chance to 
relax and rest for a few minutes. This service was a great con- 
server of the energy of the workers hence they were able to do 
splendid work. 

Dr. Mustard spoke his appreciation of this service in emphatic 
words, but as soon as the epidemic began to subside he said the 
workers would not be required to work so hard so would have 
time and should take it to go home for meals and rest. Hence he 



79 

advised the discontiimance of the free feature of the lunch for 
all those who were regular salaried people of the Public Health 
Service. After careful consideration we decided to let these 
workers and others who desired a lunch have it for 25 cents, the 
amount so collected by the manager of each center being 
deducted from the total of her bill or, in other words, it was used 
to purchase material for the broth or lunch. 

A brief review of one day's work will suffice to show you how 
it was possible to keep things going and in order. Usually the 
automobile was sent to my house by 9 o'clock. Then I went to 
the market for ice for the Webster and the French Schools, as it 
was almost impossible to get ice in those sections. My head- 
quarters were at the Webster so all special requests and com- 
plaints were telephoned there. After looking over this list I 
went to the Calvary Baptist Church to get the broth for the 
Webster distribution then if the milk had not arrived I went to 
the dairy supplying the Webster and brought the milk back. 
My next trip was to the Department of Agriculture to get the 
broth they were making for us as they had no way to deliver it to 
us. Part of this broth was taken to the Van Ness Center 
for distribution; after that I visited each of the zones and pre- 
paration centers in turn to inspect the work and encourage the 
workers. When I found they were short of workers or that the 
workers were getting tired I called at the Registration Center 
for extra helpers or on the Red Cross Units located in that sec- 
tion. About 4 o'clock I returned to the Webster to get the 
orders for the next day's supplies. By having an automobile at 
my disposal I was able to take care of the many emergency mat- 
ters, to keep the centers supplied and to move the extra material 
to the place it was needed. I had to be sure there was enough 
broth made to meet the demands but to take care not to have too 
much. Sometimes the night orders were so much heavier than 
was anticipated that they were obliged to draw on the supplies 
prepared for the next day which meant that an extra amount 
must somehow be made to carry on the work for the next 24 
hours. The Red Cross Unit at the Calvary Baptist Church stood 
ready to respond to this extra demand. 

At every point I found splendid work being done and loyal, 
unstinted service being rendered. Each teacher in my corps 



80 

who was able to work was at some post. Many of the other teach- 
ers worked under them as did the housekeepers of the city. 
"When you consider there had to be three groups of three or four 
workers at each zone center and two groups of at least four per- 
sons for each preparation center you will see there were many 
persons engaged in the food work for this emergency and that 
since the work was carried on for three weeks there was a con- 
stantly changing personnel, for only my own people and Mrs. 
Bristow's Unit could be asked to work so steadily. 

To the Red Cross Unit at Calvary Baptist, the professional 
people of the Department of Agriculture, the Food Administra- 
tion, and my own corps I owe the success of that three weeks' 
work. 

Dr. Mustard expressed his great appreciation of this help in 
the fight. 

I thank you and the committee for the confidence you placed 
in me and for the splendid support you gave to all suggestions I 
made. When I volunteered my services I did not expect to have 
so big a piece of work to do. I expected to be a real cook some- 
where, not a manager or organizer, but I was ready to do what- 
ever had to be done and if ever again in an emergency I can be of 
help I am yours to command. 

Those in charge of centers: 
Preparation Centers: 

Zone 1 — Wisconsin Avenue, Manual Training School 

Miss A. M. McDaniel 
Zone 2 — J. 0. Wilson Normal School. .Miss E. H. Jonas 

Zone 3 — Calvary Baptist Church Mrs. Bristow 

Zone 4 — B. B. French Manual Training School 

Miss N. I. Higgles 
Zone 5 — Armstrong Manual Training School. Mrs. Shaw 
Dept. of Agriculture Home Economics Div.Miss Denton 
(except for a day or two these persons served all the time) . 

Those in charge of the cleaning and filling of bottles at the 
Zone Centers were changed so often I cannot give a correct list. 
Many of them were grade teachers, many were housekeepers, 
some were Government clerks who were granted leave to help 
in the emergency, some were upper-class high school girls. Those 



81 

who served the lunches and washed the dishes were likewise 
changed frequently. 

Approximate amounts of the following distributed October 
13-29 : 

Milk 1,700 quarts 

Broth 2,000 quarts 

Oranges 100 dozen 

Eggs 100 dozen 

Lemons 10 dozen 

CLOTHING DRIVES. 

Mks. Ida M. Galloway, 
Chairman. 

The first drive that was held was for clothing for Belgium, 
This began October 24, 1918, As the Chapter received notifica- 
tion of this drive only a day or two before the appointed date, 
preparations were necessarily hasty. The difficulties of finding 
suitable quarters for a collection station in the congested condi- 
tion of Washington only those who had that duty to perform 
can fully realize. An unoccupied store on Connecticut Avenue 
was generously donated for this purpose by Mr. Robert C. Wil- 
kins. In this store there was collected and dispatched in 43 extra 
large bales and 17 boxes, approximating 25,000 garments and 
1000 pairs of shoes. 

More time was given for preparation for the second drive, this 
time for clothing for Europe in the Spring of 1919, Mrs. Ida M, 
Galloway had charge of the drive and Mrs. John Allen Dough- 
erty managed the publicity work. The old engine house used 
formerly for the salvage work was established as a collecting 
station. To both Mrs. Galloway and Mrs. Dougherty the won- 
derful success of this drive is largely due. The work of the 
Motor Corps in collecting contributions is also to be highly com- 
mended. The articles not suitable for overseas shipment have 
been sold and have met all expenses. Mrs. Galloway's report, 
somewhat condensed, is given below: 

Bales packed and shipped 1,221 

Marked: TO The American Red Cross, Baltic Terminal, 
New York Dock Company, 
Brooklyn, N. Y. 



82 

FROM The District of Columbia Chapter 

American Red Cross, 

Washington, D. C. 

Contents of bales: Men's, women's, boys', infants' and mis- 
cellaneous wear, together with feather beds, pillows, bed clothes, 
blankets, towels, shoes, hats and furs. 

Total number of articles 87,122 

Total weight of articles lbs. 54,282 

(27 tons-plus) 

There were also shipped six bales weighing 289 pounds, re- 
ceived April 1st from Washington Navy Yard marked ''Indian 
Head Red Cross Chapter." These bales were not counted in 
District of Columbia Chapter quota. 

Total number of calls made to private residences for 
old clothes 396 

Found $7.66 in Engine House 

together with 1 bunch of keys, bundle of letters, two 
2c stamps, 1 car ticket, 1 pen knife, 2 damaged 
watches and one pair cuif links. 

Articles Packed. 

Women's clothes 31,763 

Men's clothes 21,911; 

Miscellaneous 12,211 

Boys' clothes 7,513 

Girls' clothes 6,925 

Infants' clothes 3,887 

Bed clothes 2,912 

Additional articles not suitable for shipment.. 11,803 

Total 98,925 

SALVAGE. 

Mrs. John Allan Dougherty, Chairman. 

(The Salvage Department of the Red Cross was due to the 
suggestion of Mrs. Dougherty, its Chairman, to her initiative, 
her ability and her tireless energy. The faithful service of Com- 
mander Needham Jones, as Secretary and Treasurer and her 
other aides were of the greatest value in this important work.) 



83 

The Department of Salvage of the District of Columbia Red 
Cross Chapter was opened the last week in August, 1918, in an 
abandoned fire engine house at Delaware Avenue and C Street 
donated for this purpose. All service and labor were volunteer 
except that of one man. There was no heat, rent, or light to be 
paid for. 

Sixty-one chairmen of sub-committees were appointed in the 
Red Cross Auxiliaries of the Supply Service. The Four-Minute 
Men spoke in all the shops and Government buildings ; a salvage 
slide was used by all the moving picture theatres and the pro- 
grams of the other theatres gave six-line notices of salvage. Full 
page advertisements in the daily press were provided by per- 
sonal contributions and postmen delivered 98,000 dodgers. There 
was no charge for this delivery and the paper, envelopes and 
printing were all donated. 

Seretary Redfield formed the Department of Commerce into 
a Salvage Unit; a Rotarian Committee was formed by Mr. John 
Poole and the National Rotary Association voted to work for 
salvage in every way. The Commissioners of the District gave 
the Red Cross the privilege of using the 40 engine and truck 
houses as paper collecting stations. The firemen volunteered 
their services to sort and pack the paper for shipment. 

Major Pullman and the entire police force were interested and 
most helpful. Every shift of police in every station was ad- 
dressed on salvage, its aims and accomplishments. The use of 
the Police Bulletin which was issued daily was given for public- 
ity. The firemen at all engine houses were also addressed on 
salvage and during the first six weeks before the influenza epi- 
demic closed the salvage warehouse they handled 157,000 pounds 
of paper. 

Fifty-eight firemen volunteered to drive trucks for collection 
of salvage on their days off and to work in the warehouse when 
desired. Over 300 policemen volunteered for any kind of work 
on their days off. Some of the merchants collected donations on 
the return trip of their delivery wagons and others gave a truck 
on certain days a week or once in two weeks. 

Salvage was explained to the teachers of the Public Play- 
grounds and the work was about to start among the school chil- 
dren in all the schools of the city with the cooperation of the 



84 

heads of the Departments when the schools were closed by the 
epidemic. 

The serious epidemic of influenza interfered greatly with the 
Salvage Department closing down the work for most of the 
autumn and as it was impossible to properly heat the engine 
house it was closed January 1st, 1919. In spite of the short and 
interrupted period of its existence $5,000 was netted by this 
Salvage Department. 

The Melting Pot. 

The plan for the Melting Pot whereby contributions of old 
metal were made to help the finances of the Chapter was due 
first to the ' ' Woman in "White ' ' who suggested it. Mr. Henry C. 
Bergheimer, of Gait Brothers, who took sharge of the receipts 
and the sale and to Mr. Mayo Dudley, of the Evening Star, who 
promoted the idea through the columns of that paper. 

When the Chapter is provided with a permanent Chapter 
House the Salvage Department will be renewed and become a 
permanent service of the Chapter. 

EED CROSS SHOP. 

Mrs. Seaton Schroeder, 
Chairman. 

(When the Salvage Department was closed a Red Cross Shop 
was opend. This was placed in charge of Mrs. Seaton Schroeder, 
assisted by Mrs. Ridgley Hunt, Mrs. Hulme, and others. Com- 
mander Needham Jones was Secretary and Treasurer, To the 
volunteer and constant service of these officers the little shop 
owed its marked success.) 

The Red Cross Salvage Shop opened at 1214 18th Street on 
January 13th, and continued until April 1st. There were to be 
found at the Shop men's and women's clothing of all sorts, hats, 
shoes, furs, etc. Also books, jewelry, lamps and lamp shades, 
ornaments of all kinds, pictures, etc. The only things refused 
were old papers and magazines and tin foil, the latter being 
handled by the main Salvage Department. 

During the two and a half months in which the shop was open, 
after all expenses were paid, $3,435 was turned over to be used 
for Holidav House. 



I 85 

COMMITTEE ON NURSING ACTIVITIES. 

Mabel T. Boardman, 
Chairman. 

This committee's report is in the nature of recommendations. 

The committee was appointed in April, 1919, according to 
suggestions contained in Circular No. A-700 from National Head- 
quarters. The Chairman, after due consideration and confer- 
ence with Miss Anna J. Greenlees, of the Teaching Center, di- 
vided the work into four sections with a sub-committee of the 
General Committee for each section. The work of the com- 
mittee is as yet in its infancy but good progress has already been 
made. The sub-committees are given with what they represent 
and a brief summary of the work so far accomplished by each 
committee. The Chairman is ex officio a member of all commit- 
tees. 

The surveys have been carefully made by Miss Alberta Castle- 
man as field secretary 

Sub-Committee No. 1 on Public Health Nursing. 
Mrs. Whitman Cross, Chairman, 

President Visiting Nurse Association. 
Miss Mary Cwynn, Vice- Chairman, 

President Diet Kitchen Association. 
Dr. W. C. Fowler, 

Board of Health. 
Miss Alice C. Bagley, 

Visiting Nurse Service. 
Miss Estelle L. Wheeler, 

Diet Kitchen. 
Dr. H. H. Donnally, 

Infant Welfare Work. 
Dr. W. D. Tewksbury, , 

Visiting Nurses Association. 
Col. E. N. Sanctuary, 

War Department. 
Col. R. F. Metcalfe, 

War Department. 
Miss May Irwin, 

Freedman's Hospital. 
Miss Alice M. Prentiss, 

Attending Surgeon's Office. 
Miss Mabel T. Boardman, 

Ex Officio. 



86 

The survey instituted by the sub-committee on Public Health 
Nursing in Washington revealed certain interesting facts. 

Visiting Nurse Association. 

The report from the Visiting Nurse Association showed that 
the city was fairly well covered by nurses except in the southeast 
and Anacostia. There are fourteen graduate nurses enrolled and 
50 practical nurses for convalescent and chronic cases. A 
maternity service and attending nurse service have been es- 
tablished. 

Infant Welfare Work. 

There is more need for help in infant welfare work. 

Midwives. 

There are registered by the Board of Health 88 midwives. 
Examination is required for registration and is given by a Board 
of Supervisors. The general type is ignorant and the number 
are decreasing yearly. They are mostly foreign and colored 
women. 

School Nursing. 

In school nursing the proportion should be about one nurse for 
3,000 children. In "Washington it is nearer one nurse to 4,800 
children. There are now employed seven white nurses for 33,539 
children in 101 schools, and three colored nurses for 14,299 
children in 51 schools. The Committee voted to recommend to 
the Commissioners of the District of Columbia that there be in 
all ten white and four colored nurses appointed. 

Tuberculosis Nurses. 

Four tuberculosis nurses are employed by the District, one to 
investigate and instruct patients and three others are on duty at 
the Public Health Dispensary. The number seems to be sufficient 
under present conditions. 

Hospital Social Service Nurses. 

Only the Children's and Providence Hospitals have a social 
service department with nurses. Many other hospitals in the city 
need this service. 



87 

Departmental Nurses. 

A careful survey was made of the Departmental dispensary 
and nursing service. The influenza epidemic revealed the fact 
that there existed no adequate provision for dispensary and 
nursing service for Government employees. The War Depart- 
ment appears to be the only Department that has done follow-up 
work by trained nurses. In other Departments visits are occa- 
sionally made by nurses employed in clerical capacities in these 
Departments. It frequently happened that two or more persons 
were ill in the same household, even in the same room, and be- 
longing to different Government Departments. Two or more 
nurses were visiting these persons in the same locality. In other 
cases critically ill persons in lodging houses died without proper 
care, either from physicians or nurses, often being ill some time 
before their illness was known. It is, therefore, evident that the 
work has been not only inefficient and inadequate but not in- 
frequently has resulted in overlapping and duplication. 

Occasionally persons reporting absent because of illness when 
not ill are not checked up and the Government saved from the 
cost of such abuse of sick privileges. Cases exist of persons ab- 
sent because of reported illness but who are working elsewhere 
and drawing pay from the Government as well as from the con- 
cern for which they are working. 

A number of the Departments have not even any emergency or 
rest room. Such dispensary and nursing service has been in- 
stalled in great numbers of industrial, business and insurance 
concerns throughout the country proving not only of great 
humane but of economic value. 

The Chairman of the Committee called to the attention of the 
Public Health Service of the Treasury Department and the 
medical services of the Army and Navy this condition in the 
Government Departments. The medical services of these De- 
partments of the Government are now considering some practical 
plan by which such a service may be installed. The Government 
which advocates the proper care of employees in industrial life 
should set an example to the rest of the country in its service for 
the Government employees. 



88 

Sub-Committee No. 2 — Epidemic and Emergency Nursing. 

Assistant Surgeon General A. J. McLaughlin, Chairman^ 

Federal Public Health Service. 
Dr. Taliaferro Clark, Vice-Chairman. 

Federal Public Health. 
Dr. W. C. Fowler, 

District Health Officer. 
Mrs. Walter Uiford, 

Home Service. 
Miss Emma S. Jacobs, 

Head Teacher Household Economics. 
Mr. Clarence A. Aspinwall, 

Board of Trade. 
Mr. James F. Oyster, 

Chamber of Commerce. 
Miss Alice C. Bagley, 

Superintendent Visiting Nurse Association. 
Miss Mabel T. Boardman, 

Ex Officio. 

In case of epidemic the Health Department of the Municipal 
Government \\dll be in charge of the work. The Federal Public 
Health will be at all times ready to be of any assistance if de- 
sired. 

The Committee recommends that the city should be divided 
into four zones, north, central, southeast, and west. A school 
house in each zone when the schools are closed, should be used as 
a zone center and in the central zone in a separate building the 
headquarters should be established. In case the schools are not 
closed it would be necessary to secure other quarters for head- 
quarters in zone centers. Therefore, a survey should be made 
for the purpose of finding what other places such as church 
parlors or parish houses, etc., would be available. Careful con- 
sideration should be given to the organization of these zone 
stations. Quarters, supplies, telephones, and the necessary per- 
sonnel of physicians, nurses, assistants, clerks, telephone opera- 
tors, messengers, etc., should be arranged for. A special com- 
mittee on epidemic service to cooperate with the health author- 
ities should be appointed by the Eed Cross Chapter. An emer- 
gency room should be maintained at each station to care for cases 
found among visitors at the stations. 

The nursing service should be promptly established at head- 



89 

quarters in charge of a Red Cross supervising nurse with two 

divisions under her. 

First. 

A recruiting station in charge of the Red Cross for graduate 
nurses, practical nurses, assistants, clerical and miscellaneous 
service. It should be located in some central place. 
Second. 

The assignment of nurses and assistants should be under the 
Visiting Nurse Association. One nurse should be detailed to 
headquarters and one to each zone station. 

The preparation of foods for patients and luncheons for zone 
personnel should be in charge of Miss Emma S. Jacobs, the 
superintendent of Household Economics in the Public Schools of 
Washington. The kitchen should be located as she directs and 
the personnel selected by her. 

As it may be difficult to obtain for emergency hospitals and 
for other necessary work laundry service, the question of se- 
curing an army portable laundry or the taking over of some 
suitable local laundry should be considered. 

A survey of local hospitals as to numbers of beds and also 
numbers, if any, available for an epidemic should be made. The 
Committee recommends that the National Red Cross Head- 
quarters authorize the Potomac Division to keep on hand equip- 
ment for a 100 or 200 bed emergency hospital divided into units 
of 20 each. It further recommends that the Division keep itself 
informed as to hospital supplies available by purchase in case of 
need within its jurisdiction. This information should be revised 
frequently and kept up to date. 

The Motor Service should be in charge of the Division Red 
Cross Motor Corps including both ambulance and transportation 
service. As large a reserve of private motors as possible should 
be listed for emergency service. A survey as to private as well as 
Army and Navy ambulances in the District should be made by 
the Motor Corps. 

Supplies, except the equipment for the Emergency Hospital, 
which is under the Division, should be provided by the Chapter 
Supply Service. The necessary expenses for such supplies to be 
met by regular Chapter funds or by a Chapter appeal to the 
public. 



90 

Sub-Committee No. 3, Instructions in Home Hygiene and 
Caee of the Sick and Dietetics. 

Mr. Ernest L. Thurston, Chairman, 

Superintendent of Public Schools. 
Dr. Isabel H. Lamb, 

Federated Women's Club. 
Miss Alice M. Tippitts, 

Mt. Vernon School. 
Mrs. Gilbert Grosvenor, 

Monday Evening Club. 
Miss A. M. Coding, 

Chairman Red Cross School Committee. 
Dr. Charles P. Langworthy, 

Department of Agriculture. 
Miss Cecil B. Norton, 

Secretary White Community Center. 
Mrs. Gabrielle Pelham, 

Secretary Colored Community Centers. 
Miss Emma S. Jacobs, 

Head Teacher Household Economics. 
Mr. Clarence Wilson, 

Food Control District of Columbia. 
Miss Mabel T. Boardman, 

Ex Ofacio. 

A careful survey was made by this sub-committee on instruc- 
tions in Home Hygiene and Care of the Sick in colleges, normal 
schools, high schools, grade schools, private and parochial schools. 
The Chairman of the Committee has promised to take up the 
question of introducing into the regular curriculum of the normal 
and high schools the instructions in home hygiene and care of 
the sick, rearranging the courses so as to suit the regular school 
periods. In the grade schools it is proposed that the girls be 
given a modified and simple course in home hygiene and care of> 
the sick in connection with the course in household economics. 
This modified course would be confined to practical work and be 
taught without special equipment or text books. Anumber of 
the private schools as well as the colleges and universities in 
the city have also been visited and several of them have promised 
to introduce the courses into their curriculum in the autumn. 

There can be no more valuable and practical training for the 
health and welfare of the community than that provided by these 
courses in home hygiene and care of the sick and this Committee 



91 

hopes to have such courses introduced into all the schools of older 
girls and colleges for women in Washington. Classes are also 
being arranged for Departments and for women's clubs and or- 
ganizations in the city. The theoretical lessons for many of these 
classes will be held in schools and other localities and the prac- 
tical lessons given at the Red Cross Teaching Center where there 
is a full equipment for this work. The complete equipment for 
a teaching center costs about $800.00. 

RED CROSS NURSES. 

Sub-Committee No. 4 — General Affairs Pertaining to Red 

Cross Nurses. 

The selection of this Committee and its organization is post- 
poned until the autumn. 

HOLIDAY HOUSE. 

Miss Mabel T. Boaedman, 
Chairman, 

The great increase in Government employees resulting from 
war conditions brought to "Washington thousands of women who 
were compelled to live in boarding or lodging houses where it 
was impossible to obtain special care in case of slight illness or 
convalescence after serious illness. The epidemic of influenza 
emphasized the need of a convalescent home for women employed 
by the Government and a temporary provision for one was made 
by the Chapter but after the epidemic had ceased there seemed to 
be a need for such a home to care for the normal cases of con- 
valescence as the congestion still existed in the city. A large 
meeting of welfare workers and nurses was held at the residence 
of Miss Mabel T. Boardman on November 9, 1918, for discussion 
as to the need for a convalescent house. It was unanimously de- 
cided that such a need existed. A committee on the selection of a 
suitable building and locality and another on Ways and Means 
were appointed. 

At the second meeting the Committee on Location and Build- 
ing, of which Dr. Christine Mann was chairman, recommended 
the securing of the Carroll Springs Sanitarium at Forest Glen, 
Md., which recommendation was approved. Somewhat later 80 



92 

welfare workers at a further meeting decided that the charge 
for a guest should not exceed $10.00 a week or $1.50 a day for 
a shorter stay as many of the women would have to hold their 
rooms in town so as not to lose them. The name of Holiday House 
was selected for this convalescent home. 

The Ways and Means Committee, composed of the wives of 
Cabinet officers and Miss Boardman as Chairman, after due con- 
sideration concluded that it would require for rental, salaries, 
wages and upkeep of the place about $15,000, the pay from the 
guests meeting the food and certain other expenses. 

An appeal was made to the National Headquarters and the 
Chapter for this necessary amount. As Washington women in 
Government employment lived in their own homes they did not 
as a rule require the care given at such a convalescent home. It 
seemed fair therefore that the local Chapter should not be asked 
to give the entire amount, but it was willing to provide one-half, 
that is $7,500. As the women to be benefitted came from the 
country at large and were here because of the war service the 
National Red Cross consented to make a grant of a like amount, 
$7,500. 

A special committee consisting of Miss Boardman, Chairman, 
Mrs. Samuel Winslow, Mrs. Seaton Schroeder, Mrs. Theodore W. 
Richards, Mrs. Wallace Radcliffe and Dr. Ralph Jenkins, ex 
officio, were placed in charge. Mrs. I. W. Littell and Mrs. Mont- 
gomery Blair were later added to the Committee. Mr. John 
Poole was appointed Treasurer and Mrs. Alfred M. Houghton, 
Secretary. The Committee was fortunate^ enough to secure 
through Miss Clara D. Noyes, of National Headquarters, at 
Washington, Miss Ida F. Butler, of Hartford, to organize the 
work with Miss Nina V. Short as General Manager. Miss Mary 
H. Culbertson succeded Miss Butler on March 1st as Hostess 
Nurse. To these fine nurses, both of whom had seen overseas 
service with the Red Cross, and to Miss Short, most of the sue- 
ces of the undertaking is due. 

Holiday House is situated at Forest Glen about 10 minutes by 
motor beyond the Walter Reed Hospital. The Washington, 
Woodside and Forest Glen electric cars run within two minutes 
of the buildings. A cement walk connects the house with 
Linden Station. The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad has a station at 



93 

Porest Glen whence express trains reach Washington in 18 
minutes. There is the State automobile road to a private road 
which leads to the House. The post, express and telegraph office 
is Forest Glen and the telephone AVoodside No. 1, Washington 
Directory. Holiday House is surrounded by some 20 acres of 
land embracing woods, fields and kitchen gardens. It has 
springs of excellent water. The horses, cows, chickens and ducks 
give it a pleasant country atmosphere. In winter some 27 per- 
sons, including the hostess nurse and general manager can be ac- 
commodated, a few of the rooms being double rooms. In summer 
an adjoining small house will accommodate about 12 or 14 ad- 
ditional persons, making a total of about 40. In certain cases of 
long convalescence when the guest has not been able to pay the 
full amount of her board the Red Cross Unit of her respective 
Department has made up the deficit. Since the opening of the 
House about the middle of January between four and five 
hundred girls have enjoyed its benefits. The care, the quiet, 
restful country life, the good food and fresh air have wrought 
wonders for many of the tired out war workers in the Govern- 
ment and the undertaking has proved well worth while. Many 
have written or spoken in appreciation of the benefits they have 
received. Two letters only are quoted, one of which was written 
to a personal friend and the other to the chairman : 

' ' I am so glad you urged me to come to Holiday House. It is 
an ideal place in which to rest. You should come out and see 
what a lovely place it is. Two days here have already done won- 
ders for me. The meals are good and the atmosphere homelike. 
I got out here about 5 Monday. The Motor Corps g-irl who 
brought me out was late, but she was some speeder. We passed 
everybody on the road ! Tuesdaj^ I had to rest all day but since 
then I have taken walks, played croquet and as the old sailor 
said 'Sometimes I set and think and sometimes I jest set.' _ I 
feel sure a week or two here will put me in fine trim again. 
Surely all the weary 'war workers' here are grateful to the Red 
Cross for providing such a delightful resting place. ' ' 

"Dear Miss Boardman: 

"One evening last spring you visited the Business Women's 
Council (of which I am a member) and talked to us about 
Holiday House. During the summer I was greatly in need of 
a real rest, and not having enough vacation just then to get 
right away availed myself of this great opportunity and went 



94 

to that "Haven of Rest" — for such I consider it. It was only 
for a few days, but later I returned and spent a delightful week 
there. 

"I would like to thank the Red Cross through you for this 
great thing they have done for the government workers. I 
think in my own case I was saved from an utter breakdown, 
and I am only one of hundreds who have enjoyed this great 
privilege. I am returning to England in a few days and shall 
carry away a very charming memory of the American Red 
Cross. ' ' 

THE RED CROSS DAY CAMP. 

Walter S. Ufford, Secretary. 

The Red Cross Day Camp was built a number of years ago 
from funds secured through an entertainment given by the Dis- 
trict of Columbia Red Cross Chapter. Its purpose is to care for 
incipient cases of tuberculosis especially among children. It was 
maintained through the proceeds of the sale of the Red Cross 
Christmas seal in Washington and the nurse in charge was a 
nurse from the Visiting Nurse Association. This arrangement 
continued until the war when the Association for the Prevention 
of Tuberculosis took charge of the camp which continues to be 
supported by the proceeds of the Christmas seal. 

The Red Cross Day Camp was maintained during 1918 by the 
Association for Prevention of Tuberculosis and managed as be- 
fore by the Instructive Visiting Nurse Society. The Camp is 
opened during the summer to children exposed in their homes to 
tuberculosis; these children are very often underfed and have 
little resistance to the disease. At the Camp they are out all day 
in wholesome, safe surroundings. They receive one square meal 
a day and a mid-afternoon lunch, in this way building up their 
physical condition. There is a noticeable improvement in the 
health of all the children. 

OPEisr June 20 to September 20, 1918. 

Number of children in attendance 104 

Number of camp days 80 

Total attendance 3,427 

Average daily attendance 42M 

Average number days per child 33 

Equipment and maintenance $2,165.95 

(Report for 1919 Camp not yet available) 




The Day Camp Luxcheox Hour 




Outdoors at the Day Camp 



95 

Among other activities given support by the Red Cross Christ- 
mas Seal Fund were the nursing service ($1208.73) dispensary- 
service .including supplies ($285.63) educational leaflets, health 
rules and publicity $852.67. 

For the current fiscal year, 1919, largely from the funds being 
sent quarterly by the National Tuberculosis Association in ac- 
cordance with its arrangement with the American Red Cross, 
which funds are in lieu of the sale of seals last year, special em- 
phasis is being placed upon the Health Crusade work. A full 
time worker is provided in the field who is cooperating with the 
Junior Red Cross and the public school authorities to make this 
particularly successful in "Washington. Supplies for the Crusade 
are being furnished which will probably cost something like 
$2,000. An appropriation of $2,000 was made for the conduct 
of the Day Camp for 1919. 



PART II 

CHAPTER WORKROOM AUXILIARY. 

Garnients made 11,127 

]jinen articles 220 

Comforts 72 

Knitted articles 297 

A great deal of hospital linen was made which is included in 
the Supply Service general reports but not recorded here. Many 
organizations worked in the Chapter Workroom. Several have 
made individual reports. Those that are not reported elsewhere 
are included in a list given with this report. Seven companies 
were formed under Mrs. N. E. Mason as Battalion Major. 

I cannot speak too highly of the faithfulness of the regular 
members of this auxiliary and the splendid work they have ac- 
-complished both as individuals and as an organization. The or- 
ganizations that have worked at the Chapter House and are not 
reported elsewhere are as follows : 

Washington College of Law, Miss Sellers, Chairman. 

Trinity Methodist Church, Mrs. Marbury, Chairman. 

Vermont Avenue Christian Church, Mrs. Garner, Chairman. 

Kann's & Sons, Miss Dennis, Chairman. 

Lansburgh Brothers, Mrs. Shanley, Chairman. 

Metropolitan Methodist Church, Mrs. Trest, Chairman. 

Concordia Church, Mrs. Naylor, Chairman. 

Florence Crittenden Home, Mrs. Freeman, Chairman. 

Mrs. Sweeter's Unit. 

Navy Yard Unit, Mrs. Willard, Chairman. 

Northminster Presbyterian Church, Mrs. Perry, Chairman. 

Smithsonian Unit. 

Congressional Club, Mrs. Eodenburg, Chairman. 

Mrs. Gafley's Unit, 

Mrs. F. F. Fletcher, Chairman. 

AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT AUXILIARY. 

Original number of members 214 

Present number of members 2,200 

Surgical Dressings made 43,322 

Garments 7,606 

Comforts 317 

Knitted articles 4,600 

Porty pounds of wool sent to Serbian Red Cross. 

Mrs. David Franklin Houston, Chairman. 



1 97 

THIRTEEN AUXILIARIES, 

Headquarters Eastern Presbyterian Church. 

Eastern Presbyterian Church 

Douglass Memorial Church 

Ninth Street Christian Church 

Kellar Memorial Lutheran Church 

Kennelworth Presbyterian Church 

Metropolitan Presbyterian Church 

North Capitol Methodist Episcopal Church 

Maryland Avenue Baptist Church 

Ingram Memorial Congregational Church 

Epworth Chapter, Eastern Star 

Webb School 

Friendship Club 

Eastern High School 

Garments made 4,310 

Linen articles 6,003 

Knitted articles 230 

Comforts 887 

Masks 604 

Total articles made 12,054 

The balance of cash on hand, $60.00 was given to the Chapter 
toward the Chapter House Fund, 

During the Liberty Loan Drives the volunteers worked cheer- 
fully and made the house to house canvass with great success, 
this was also done in the Red Cross and membership drives. 

During the influenza epidemic the church parlors were opened, 
and masks and all special supplies were made. 

The work for the past two years has been carried on most suc- 
cessfully both socially and financially. 

Mrs. Thomas Calver, Chairman, 
Mrs. J. W. Reynolds, Secretary. 

ANACOSTIA AUXILIARY, D. C. CHAPTER A. R. C. 

Number of members beginning of organization. . . 14 

Number of members now 38 

Number of garments 2,106 

Number of linen articles 8 

Number of comforts 6 

Number of knitted articles 68 



The Anacostia Auxiliary was organized in April, 1918, with 
about 14 members. We are composed of Presbyterian, Episcopal, 
Methodist, Baptist and Catholic ladies. "When the drive for new 
members was made we swelled our number to 40. A great many 
of these ladies proved to be only paying members, so that the real 
work was done by about fifteen faithful, devoted ladies. 

Last year we were handicapped by not having a suitable work 
room. This year through the courtesy of Professor Johnson and 
the school board we were given an empty room in the VanBuren 
Annex. Here we meet every Wednesday at 10 :00 o 'clock. 

We organized a uniform corps on July 24, 1919. The ladies 
have knitted a great many pairs of stockings also sweaters and 
helmets independently of the Red Cross, as most of the ladies 
had boys either over sea and in camps. We also assisted in the 
influenza work. There were five ladies who helped nurse during 
the epidemic. 

Two of our invalid members made comforts for the hospitals. 
We also carried cakes, fruits and jellies to the Walter Reed 
Hospital. During salvage week we sent two auto loads, also con- 
tributed liberally to the Belgium relief fund both in money and 
clothing. 

Mes. George M. Cummings, Chairman. 

BROOKLAND AUXILIARY. 

Original number of members 100 

Present number of members 60 

Surgical dresings made 593 

Garments made 1,021 

Linen articles 1,912 

Comforts 616 

Knitted articles 303 

During influenza epidemic eared for 89 persons supplying 
them with broth, fresh eggs, milk, etc., and where necessary 
furnishing nurses whenever possible. 

St. Anthony's Unit of the Catholic War Relief worked with 
members of our Auxiliary during this time. 

Members of our Auxiliary have worked in all drives for 
members and donated clothing for French Relief. 

We are supporting two French orphans. 

Mrs. William Fletcher, Chairman, 



99 

BUREAU OF STANDARDS AUXILIARY. 

Original number of members 53 

Present number of members 52 

Garments made 13 

Kjiitted articles 44 

The collection of funds for the purchase of materials, etc., 
amounted to $205.84. Classes in surgical dressings were organ- 
ized at Mason House ; assistance was given in all the Red Cross 
Drives ; 688 members were enrolled at the Bureau of Standards 
during the Christmas Roll Call; about 1,000 gauze masks were 
made by the women Bureau employees; very good salvage work 
was done by the Bureau and $85 was collected for Holiday 
House. 

Miss M. Morse, Chairman. 

CAIRO AUXILIARY. 

Number of members beginning of organization 150 

Number of members now 75 

Number of Surgical Dressings made 45,214 

Number of Garments 446 

Number of Linen Articles 386 

Number of Comforts 3 

Number of Knitted Articles 2,759 

The members of the Cairo Auxiliary also took part on all "War 
Drives as well as all membership drives. They took a very ac- 
tive part in all emergency as well as regular calls for surgical 
dressings continuing the work into summer and winter. 

Mes. H. p. McCain, Chairman. 

CALVARY BAPTIST AUXILIARY. 

Number of members beginning of organization. 125 

Number of members now 80 

Number of Garments 14,299 

Number of Comforts 400 

Number of Knitted Articles 600 

During the influenza epidemic we made from sixty to seventy 
quarts of broth each day for nearly four weeks. Served lunches 
to fifty to seventy-five doctors and volunteer nurses, also served 



100 

during the membership campaigns and in raising the emergency 
fund. 

Mrs. p. H. Bristow, Chairman. 

CALVARY M. E. CHURCH AUXILIARY. 

Original number of members 69 

Present number of members 16 

Garments; made 6,080 

Knitted articles 1,068 

This Auxiliary also did influenza and salvage work. 

Ida B. Crooks, Chairman. 

CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AUXILIARY. 

Original number of members 53 

Present number of members 25 

Garments made 4,829 

Knitted articles 340 

We have made 400 knitted garments and 300 other garments, 
for the Naval Auxiliary. The number of women who have sewed, 
at our workrooms is 150. 

Mrs. James B. Baugh, Chairman. 

CHEVY CHASE, D. C, AUXILIARY. 

Original number of members 80 

Present number of members 60 

Garments; made 1,644 

Linen articles 898 

Comforts 697 

119 comfort bags made and filled (independently) for Christ- 
mas 1917. Many hundred knitted articles and surgical dressings 
were turned in through other Auxiliaries, mostly through the 
Army and Navy. Good salvage work was done. Several 
hundred pounds of tin foil was collected and a melting pot was. 
kept constantly on hand. 

For the War Relief Fund .$1,134.00 

(Work In booths) 

Lawn Fete 675.00 

Linen shower 40.00 



101 

Since the signing of the armistice we have taken three orphans 
to support; given $50,00 to the Near East Fund; $50.00 to the 
wife of a wounded soldier; visiting and doing what we can for 
our Walter Eeed men ; splendid results from Christmas member- 
ship drive and also for clothing drive. 

, Augusta McC. Latimer^ Chairman. 

CHURCH OF OUR FATHER AUXILIARY. 

Original number of members 75 

Present number of members 55 

Surgical Dressings made 400 

Influenza masks 5,841 

Garments made 3.066 

Garments cut 1,521 

Linen articles 4,603 

Comforts 4,689 

Knitted articles 568 

Linen shower 50 articles 

3 drives $1,144.05 

There are three workers in our Auxiliary of three generations 
each holding a service badge. 

During the influenza epidemic three workers each day were 
sent to District Chapter from September 26, to October 26. 

The Clara Barton Guild of our Auxiliary sends ice cream 
weekly to two wards at Naval Hospital; three weekly papers, 
Christmas, Valentine and St. Patrick's cards. 

Service badges were awarded 18 workers in our Auxiliary. 

Many operating socks were sent to French hospitals. 

Elizabeth Weston, Chairman. 

CHURCH OF THE COVENANT AUXILIARY. 

Original number of members 40 

Number of members now 79 

Number of Surgical Dressings made 2,658 

Number of Garments 2,087 

Number of Knitted articles 504 

Contributed 1400 masks for Influenza, furnishing our own 
material for 1000 of them. 1600 Comfort bags made and filled 



102 

at Christmas. 100 Knitted garments sent to Walter Eeed Hos- 
pital. 

Mes. Perry Heath, Chairman. 

CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION AUXILIARY. 

Original number of members 40 

Present number of members 20 

Garments made 87 

Linen articles (given to Navy League Auxiliary) 

4^ dozen new towels and one-half dozen new 

handkerchiefs, 
Knitted articles 120 

The Civil Service Commission Auxiliary collected from its 
working members and from contributors $381.75 which was ex- 
pended for materials, yarns, etc. During the enrollment 
membership drive we collected $596 plus $288 enrollment fund 
from Civil Service Commission employees. 

The Auxiliary collected tin foil, old clothes, nut shells, etc. 

Individual members contributed money or work in aid of 
Belgium Relief work; Special War Fund; College Clubs Relief 
Work ; Church work ; Salvation Army ; Y. W. C. A. ; Y. M. 
C. A. ; Tobacco Fund, etc. 

Individuals independently made and gave to various ones 
sweaters, helmets, scarfs, comfort gifts, socks, etc. 

Caroline I. Griesheimer, Chairman. 

COLONIAL DAMES AUXILIARY. 

Original number of members 41 

Number of members now 39 

Number of Surgical Dressings made 5,58? 

Number of Garments 50 

Number of Linen Articles 16 

(14 lbs. old linen) 

Number of Comforts 568 

Number of Knitted Articles . . . ; 272 

Assisted and contributed for the soldiers' Christmas at the 
Walter Reed Hospital. Contributed, packed and sent boxes to 
the Serbian Relief Commission and to others. Assisted in the 
Red Cross drives and in membership drives. 

Sophie Peace Casey, Chairman. 



103 

COLLEGE WOMEN'S CLUB AUXILIARY. 

Original number of members 8 

Present number of members 6 

Surgical Dressings made 14,052 

Garments made 863 

Linen articles 116 

Knitted articles 398 

Mrs. Vernon, Chairman. 

CONGRESSIONAL CLUB AUXILIARY. 

No report received. Articles made sent to Chapter House. 
Auxiliary was closed when Congress was not in session. 

Mrs. Samuel E. Winslow, 
Mrs. Horace M. Towner, 

Chairmen. 

CONGRESS HEIGHTS AUXILIARY. 

Original number of members 14 

Present number of members 46 

Garments made 1,345 

Linen articles 746 

Comforts! 220 

KJnitted articles 120 

Visited St. Elizabeth's Hospital for the Insane every week; 
gave graphonola to one of the wards and records. We also carried 
games, cigarettes, magazines and records to Walter Reed Hos- 
pital. Made and filled 24 comfort kits for the boys from this 
community who were called to fight for their country. 

Mary S. McKay, Chairman. 

DAUGHTERS OF AMERICA AUXILIARY. 

Original number of members Ill 

Garments made (miscellaneous) 1,000 

Mrs. Julian K. Grubbs, Chairman. 

DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 
AUXILIARY. 

Number of members beginning of organization ... 40 

Number of members now 60 

Number of Garments 200 

Number of Knitted Articles 171 



104 

Mending in Potomac Park Army Camp. 

Knitted garments given to Army Medical Corps, Walter Reed 
Hospital, (Stump socks for Walter Reed, 46). Mending socks 
for the Army Relief — 500 pairs. 

Mrs. Lisle S. Lipscomb, Chairman. 

DUNBAR AUXILIARY. 

Original number of members 20 

Present number of members 35 

Garments made 1,120 

Linen Articles 750 

Number of Comforts 50 

Knitted Articles 200 

Hospital Booklets have been furnished, ornaments for trees, 
old clothes, etc. 

HaijLie E. Queen, Chairman. 

EIGHTH STREET TEMPLE AUXILIARY. 

Original number of members 75 

Present number of members 150 

Garments made 5,175 

Linen articles 6,252 

Comforts 1,347 

Knitted articles 1,000 

During the influenza epidemic the ladies of this Auxiliary 
worked day and night at the emergency kitchens and volunteer 
nursing and made more than 10,000 masks. They have also as- 
sisted faithfully in all drives for memberships and war relief, 
receiving the first prize for Auxiliaries in the Membership Drive 
in December, 1918. They have responded faithfully to all emer- 
gency calls with untiring zeal. We have a special committee 
which goes to Walter Reed Hospital several days each week when 
they furnish automobile rides and additional comforts for the 
wounded boys. Also a committee which is working at St. Eliza- 
beth's Hospital. 

Have also had charge of the mending at Fort Myer for several 
months and when the * ' Come Back ' ' was first published assisted 
materially in its sales. 

Mrs. a. Weyl, Chairman. 



105 

EMANUEL BAPTIST AUXILIARY. 

Original number of members 23 

Present number of members 41 

Garments made 632 

Linen articles 30 

Comforts 10 

Knitted articles 175 

Influenza masks, 840 ; money turned into Headquarters : 

May Drive, 1918 $ 59.00 

Membership 35.00 

Christmas Eoll Call 161.00 

Lawn Fete 125.00 

The Auxiliary also helped in the Christmas drive and filled 
1,000 bags. 

Mes. F, F. Fletcher, Chairman. 

EPIPHANY CHURCH AUXILIARY. 

Original number of members 125 

Present number of members 46 

Surgical dressings made 22,209 

Garmeijts 2,163 

Linen articles 1,616 

Comforts 470 

Knitted articles 563 

555 pillows, 824 pairs socks mended, 2 quilts, 60 pairs socks. 

Mrs. Randolph McKim, Chairman. 

EQUAL FRANCHISE LEAGUE AUXILIARY. 

Original number of members 35 

Number of Surgical Dressings made 4,308 

Owing to the serious automobile accident and the injuries Mrs. 
William Kelley, Chairman, has sustained, no figures are avail- 
able, but a creditable work was done in Surgical Dressings and 
knitted articles. 

Mrs. William Kelley, Chairman. 



106 

ESTHER CHAPTER 0. E. S. AUXILIARY. 

Original number of members 15 

Present number of members 15 

Garments made 1,000 

Linen articles 3,000 

Comforts 1,000 

Knitted articles 500 

This Auxiliary for over one year had between 40 or 45 members 
and assisted at all times when special calls were made upon 
them, such as mending, Christmas work, refreshment work, fill- 
ing comfort bags, clerical work, etc. 

Cecelia Atchinson, Chairman. 

FEDERATION OF WOMEN'S CLUBS AUXILIARY. 

Number of members beginning of organization. . 35 

Number of members now 30 

Number of Garments 1,244 

Number of Linen articles 2,672 

Number of Knitted articles 599 

Expended $805.20 for wool and supplies. Took part in four 
drives. Helped to pack Christmas gifts, 1917. Made 135 Scrap 
Books. Helped at 1301 E. Conn. Ave. in Belgian Relief. Sent 
Christmas packages to 10 D. C. nurses, 1917. Made many masks. 
Tore many sheets and cases for Departments. 

Mes. Court F. Wood, Chairman. 

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH AUXILIARY. 

Number of members beginning of organization . . 35 

Number of members now 135 

Number of Surgical Dressings made 1,000 

Number of Garments 2,029 

Number of Linen Articles 500 

Number of Comforts 900 

Number of Knitted Articles 57 

A sum of $100.00 was given to the Red Cross House at Walter 
Reed to send ten boys to their homes for Christmas. Curtains 
were made for windows for the Y. M. C, A. hut at Camp Meade. 
100 stockings were made for the Community Christmas tree. 



107 

Lunches were served for three days during the "Flu" epidemic 
to the nurses, doctors, and clerical force stationed in the Web- 
ster School. Help was given to establish the hospital in old Peck 
Chapel. Several machine loads of garments were collected for 
the Red Cross. Near East and Italian Relief booths were kept 
open during the Red Cross drive and this Auxiliary was among 
the first twenty. 

Papers were sold every Wednesday at Poll's Theatre for the 
benefit of the boys at Walter Reed. 1500 pairs of socks were 
darned for boys in camp. 124 stump socks and 20 caps were 
knit for sick and wounded at Walter Reed. 

F. M. Towns, Chairman. 

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AUXILIARY. | 

Number of members beginning of organi2;ation ... 14 

Number of members now 14 

Number of Garments 143 

Number of Comforts 503 

Number of Knitted Articles 13 

Organized October 14, 1919. 

Through the Interior and Navy Department we made 225 
knitted articles. 

Mrs. M. Vaughn, Chairman. 

FORT SARATOGA AUXILIARY. 

Original number of members 12 

Present number of members 70 

Garments made 2,887 

Comforts 936 

Linen articles 3,530 

Knitted articles 498 

Contributions to linen showers ; salvage, tin foil, old garments, 
newspapers, influenza masks. 

Mrs. H. R. Christie, Chairman. 



108 

FOUNDEY CHURCH SURGICAL DRESSINGS 
AUXILIARY. 

Original mimber of members 28 

Present number of members 87 

Surgical dressings made 2,610 

Knitted articles 16 

Foundry Church was not granted a Red Cross Unit until 
July, 1918 ; when our Surgical Dressing Unit organized for 
special work under Mrs, Blair. 

Foundry knitting unit was organized May, 1917, before the 
Red Cross took up the knitting. 

845 knitted articles were returned for the general supply, 
through Mrs. Roosevelt, and the Church Federation of Knitting 
Units, This, with the above 16 makes a total of 861. 

I have no means of knowing the total of knitted garments 
given to individual sailors and soldiers, by our knitters, of wool 
purchased or donated from independent sources, but I do know 
the number was large. 

Mrs. H. p. McIntosh, Chairman. 

FRENCH EMBASSY RED CROSS. 

Original number of members 14 

Present number of members 3 

Garments made 264 

(Pajamas 74, bed socks, 192.) 

Linen articles 96 

Knitted articles 10 pounds of wool. 

The materials were purchased and the garments made by the 
French Embassy Red Cross Auxiliary. 

Madame M, H, Collardet, Chairman. 

FRANK R. JELLEFF AUXILIARY. 

Number of members beginning of organization, . . 15 

Number of members now 15 

Number of Garments 51i3 

"We have had no outside help and owing to sickness have only 
had about ten members any evening. Our work has mostly been 



109 

done two hours Monday nights, except our operator, Mr. Aptor, 
who has put in a great deal of time every day. 

Frank R, Jelleff, Chairman. 

FRIENDSHIP AUXILIARY. 

Number of members beginning of organization. . , 36 

Number of members now 44 

Number of Garments 560 

Number of Comforts 300 

Number of Knitted articles 30 

Our auxiliary made 1500 influenza masks and have aided Mrs. 
Galliway in the sale of Come Back, having sold over $500.00 
worth, and also gave sixty marines and sailors from the Marine 
Hospital a turkey dinner and dance. 

Mrs. R. G. Fletcher, Chairman. 

GENEVIEVE CLARK AUXILIARY. 

No report received. Articles made sent to Chapter Head- 
quarters. This auxiliary closed when Congress was not in ses- 
sion. 

Mrs. D. W. Shacklepord, Chairman. 

GEORGETOWN AUXILIARY. 

Original number of members 200 

Present number of members 115 

Surgical Dresings made 67,000 

Garments made 3,165 

Linen articles 5,478 

Comforts 1,827 

Knitted articles 1,650 

Helped with Christmas Drive, 1917 and 1918. Helped with 
Drive for Funds. Helped with Y. M. C. A. at Christmas. 
Helped fill bags at Christmas. Sent workers to warehouse every 
Monday. For Tuesdays during the influenza epidemic helped at 
the Diet Kitchen and with luncheon at Curtis School. 

Miss Emily Matthews, Chairman. 



110 

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE AUXILIARY. 

Original number of members 15 

Present number or members 23 

Knitted articles 121 

Rendered assistance in salvage work, Christmas Roll Call, and 
have spent much time in collecting delicacies for Walter Reed 
Hospital. In justice to our members I feel it my duty to state 
that almost continually from the time of our organization in 
June, 1918, until March 4, 1919, we have been working overtime 
in the Government Printing Office, three evenings and sometimes 
as many as five a week, and many Sundays, so that our small 
amount of work represents a great effort. 

Louise G. Ward, Chairman. 

GRACE REFORMED CHURCH AUXILIARY. 

Original number of members 168 

Number of members now 150 

Number of Garments 589 

Number of Comforts 580 

Number of Knitted articles 135 

During the Influenza epidemic our Auxiliary served luncheon 
to nurses at Wilson School for four days. Three teams of two 
each covered a large area for the Christmas Roll Call, also can- 
vassed our own Auxiliary. 

One member collected tin foil from a large district every week 
for several months for the Salvage Committee. 

Mrs. E. SwavelY;, Chairman. 

GUNSTON TEMPLE AUXILIARY. 

Original number of members 35 

Number of Garments 332 

Number of Linen Articles 1,457 

Number of Knitted Articles 115 

No record was kept, but a great deal of knitting was done in- 
dependently. 

E. A. Whitaker, Chairman. 



Ill 

HARRIET TUBMAN AUXILIARY. 

Original number of members '. 25 

Present number of members 654 

Garments , 1,222 

Linen articles 3,694 

Comforts 170 

Knitted articles 252 

W. A. Warfield, Chairman. 

HIGHLANDS AUXILIARY. 

Original number of members 33 

Present number of members 213 

(Highest number 337.) 
Surgical Dressings made, included in report of 

Surgical Dressings Committee. 

Garments madel 3,378 

Linen Articles 3,336 

Comforts 1,059 

Knitted Articles 1,104 

(250 pairs of socks mended.) 

Mrs. Wm. C. Goegas, Chairman. 

Lavinia Day Hoff, Vice Chairman, 

HOWARD UNIVERSITY AUXILIARY. 

Original number of members 90 

Present nuraber of members 22 

Garments made 1,150 

Knitted articles 15 

Mbs. E. B. Coleman, Chairman. 

INTERIOR DEPARTMENT AUXILIARY. 

Original number of members 50 

Present number of members 650 

Surgical Dressings made 80,199 

Garments made 5,614 

Linen articles 3,234 

Comforts 7,903 

Knitted articles 9,801 

Serbian Relief Commission was given 400 
pounds of wool. 

In addition to tiie above, beginning October 1, 1918, the In- 
terior Department has financed and conducted a Hospital Home 



112 

for convalescent soldiers near Walter Reed Hospital. Up to date 
the Home has cared for 42 soldiers, 17 of whom have been dis- 
charged at cured, others have been returned to Walter Reed Hos- 
pital and 11 are still with us. 

During the epidemic of influenza 20 convalescent nurses from 
Walter Reed Hospital were nursed back to health. 

Mrs. Franklin K. Lane, Chairman. 

INTERSTATE COMMERCE COMMISSION AUXILIARY. 

Original numbers of members 204 

Present number of members 40 

Surgical Dressings made 21,467 

Garments made 3,248 

Comforts 350 

Knitted articles 967 

Gave five dozen pairs of socks to 20th Engineers at the Amer- 
can University Camp. 

Gave knitted outfits to 21 young men going into service from 
Interstate Commerce Commission. 

Had two branch Units, one at Hartford, Conn., and one at 
Costa Rica. 

Mrs. William McChord, Chairman. 

KENESAW AUXILIARY. 

Original number of members 20 

Number of members now 12 

Number of Garments 3,500 

Number of Knitted articles 500 

One day a week sewing at home of Chairman for all and 
every day for a few members. One and two days a week at 
Comfort Section for a few ; two days a week at Red Cross House, 
Walter Reed Hospital for five or six members. 

Collected tin foil for salvage, sold Come Back, helped every 
day during influenza with masks, aprons and several members 
used automobiles carrying nurses and doctors. 

A gift of one hundred dollars ($100.00) to Walter Reed to 
buy sporting goods to be used by overseas boys, such as punch- 
ing bag, tennis sets, quoits. 

Members from all different churches, Congregational, Cath- 
olic, Methodist, etc. 

Mrs. J. H. Fishback, Chairman. 



113 

LADIES OF THE SENATE AUXILIARY. 

Number of members beginning of organization. 25 

Number of members now 25 

Number of surgical Dressings made 15,619 

Number of garments. 4,081 

Number of knitted articles 426 

All pairs counted as one article. All garments were made 
between January 21, 1918, and February 14, 1919. All Sur- 
gical Dressings were made between January 23, 1918, and No- 
vember 12, 1918. 

Mrs. Thomas R. Marshall, Chairman. 

LAYETTE COMMITTEE AUXILIARY. 

Original number of members 12 

Present number of members 160 

Layettes made 400 

(32 pieces in each layette.) 

Sent to Diet Kitchen numerous blankets, flannel nightgowns^ 
dresses, sleeping bags, etc. Contributed $250.00 to "Milk 
Fund" for Babies. 

Mrs. William C. Hill, Chairman. 

LEBANON LODGE AUXILIARY. 

Original number of members 12 

Present number of members 47 

Garments 850 

Linen articles 3,965 

Comforts 100 

Knitted articles 120 

Three hospital beds furnished $150.00 

Base Hospital operating room furnished.... 895.00 

Wool, buttons, cotton tape, etc 49.90 

Membership 1243.00 

War Fund Drive, 1918 1280.32 

Total $3693.22 

■ One member gave 1600 hours ; nine gave 800 hours and eight 
gave 400 hours. 



114 

Cut 1000 socks for Christmas packages 

Cut 72 pairs of bed socks 

325 Red Cross veils 

During influenza epidemic made masks. 

Mrs. Blaie McKenzie, Chairman. 

MARINE BARRACKS SURGICAL DRESSING NIGHT 
AUXILIARY. 

Original number of members 11 

Present number of members 65 

Surgical Dressings made 10,828 

Knitted articles 150 

Several members of this Unit did nursing during the influenza 
epidemic. We also made 1,500 cotton bags for dressings. 

Miss M. I. Booth, Chairman. 

MARTHA WASHINGTON CHAPTER 0. E. S. AUXILIARY 

Number of members beginning of organization. . 120 

Number of members now 50 

Number of garments 1,314 

Number of Knitted articles 21 

Managed two booths during Spring drive, 1918. Managed 
Garden Theatre during War Stamp drive, 1918. Worked in- 
specting surgical dressings; worked with salvage department 
collecting tin foil. Tm''o members worked as nurses during the 
"Flu" epidemic. Now working to sell the Come Back. Cut 
veiling, made flu masks. 

Jane E. Collins, Chairman. 

MRS. LISCUM'S AUXILIARY. 

Original number of members 20 

Present number of members 124 

Surgical Dressings made 169,941 

Garments made 850 

Linen articles 600 

Knitted articles 70 

Knitted articles through Emergency Committee and direct 
gifts about $2,000. One member of the Auxiliary reported $800, 
another $800, collected at summer homes. As nearly every one 



115 

of the members of the Auxiliary belonged to one or another of 
the Emergency Committees, I think my estimate of garments 
may be a just one. Five hundred glasses of jelly were sent to 
the Walter Reed Hospital by members of the Auxiliary. Three 
members are doing Y. M, C. A, Hostess work, one in this country 
and two in France. 

Maey D. Liscum, Chairman. 

NAVY DEPARTMENT AUXILIARY. 

Number of members now 6,000 

Number of Surgical Dressings made 37,905 

Number of Garments 3,410 

Number of Linen articles 11,722 

Number of Knitted articles 5,624 

Have recreation rooms at Corcoran Court for women workers. 
Recreation room at Naval Hospital. Extra things supplied to 
St. Elizabeth's and Naval Hospital. Magazine subscriptions 
sent to various Naval Hospitals in other parts of the country. 

Mes. Josephus Daniels, Chairman. 

NEEDLEWORK GUILD OF AMERICA AUXILIARY. 

Original number of members 25 

Present number of members 10 

Surgical Dressings made 11,629 

Garments 1,076 

Linen articles 1,343 

Comforts 357 

Knitted articles 1,252 

Cash sent to France (Lyons Branch Needlework 
Guild) '. $200.00 

The Guild is a National body, affiliated since 1907 with the 
National Red Cross, and the D. C. Branch shipped all articles 
made by it (except 1,600 surgical dresings given direct through 
the D. C. Chapter) to the War Relief Office of the Needlework 
Guild of America, 70 Fifth Avenue, New York. This was done 
with the sanction and approval of Mr. Eliot Wadsworth. 

The membership of the D. C. Branch, Needlework Guild, is 
now over 1,500, but the large Jewish Section worked through its 
own Red Cross Auxiliary, and the majority of other members 



116 

worked in Georgetown, St. Margaret's, Washington Ward, Sur- 
gical Dressings and other Auxiliaries, only the members of the 
one company and a few others worked regularly each Friday at 
the Guild workroom. 

Eleanor G. DuPuy^ Chairman. 
By N. H. Hasan, Sec'y War Kelief Committee. 

19TH STREET BAPTIST INDEPENDENT AUXILIARY. 

Original number of members. 5 

Present number of members 112 

Garments made 113 

Knitted articles 60 

Given through the Harriet Tubman Branch: 
12 sweaters 
6 wristlets 
10 pairs of socks 
3 scarfs 

Bessie B. Briggs, Chairman. 

NORTH CAPITOL SURGICAL DRESSING AUXILIARY, 

Number of members beginning of organization, . . 12 

Number of members now 20 

Number of Surgical Dressings made 8,314 

Number of Comforts 100 

Number of Knitted articles 16 

B. M. Young, Chairman. 

PARK VIEW AUXILIARY. 

Original number of members 103 

Present number of members 70 

Garments! 2,381 

Linen articles 1,665 

Comforts 249 

Knitted articles 909 

Made 2500 influenza masks, 50 hours of Christmas work, 1 
truck load of salvage, 1000 pounds of paper, made three house 
to house canvasses for Red Cross membership and subscriptions." 

Have Sacred Heart Church Unit working with us, member- 
ship at beginning 60 and now 20 included in total membership 
above. 

Mrs. C. H. Hanson, Chairman. 



117 

PECK CHAPEL AUXILIARY. 

Original number of members 12 

Present number of members 57 

Surgical Dressings made 38,866 

Garments made 453 

Linen articles 814 

Comforts 25 

Knitted articles 216 

Influenza nursing, 953 hours. Preparing breakfasts for 2//0Q 
soldiers at Peck Chapel. Hostess at Vacation House, Colonial 
Beach for ten of the wounded from Walter Reed, on a sevea 
days furlough. Collected on Red Cross Drives over $2,000.. 
Letters to and for men in service over 200. Testaments to men 
in service 41. Care of one French orphan for two years and 
partial care of another. 

Eugenia J. Cuthbebt, Chairman. 

PETWORTH AUXILIARY. 

Number of members beginning of organization 135 

Number of members now 70 ; 

Number of Garments 3,470 

Number of linen articles 3,435 

Number of Knitted Articles 793 

Number of Knitted Articles as gifts 194 

Layettes 30 

Influenza masks 2281 

Christmas Membership Drive $1,053.00 

War Fund Drive 1,750.00 

Contribution to Auxiliary 1,071.24 

War Sufferer's Relief 57.06 

Gifts to the hospital as follows : 12 Bibles ; 2,706 magazines ; 
23 canes ; 1 gallon soup ; tobacco, $50.00 worth ; candy, $5.00 
worth. 

Two of our women have given their services to the Convales- 
cent Home at Walter Reed Hospital, as required, for the past 
year. Another has played the piano, for morning and evening 
services on Sunday for the past year. Three of our women have 
sold the Come Back every week at the State, War and Navy 
Building. We also gathered salvage last summer and also 
articles for the Comforts Committee. 

Mabel H. Test, Chairman. 



118 

PINEY BRANCH AUXILIARY. 

Original number of members 30 

Present number of members 125 

Garments made 5,359 

Linen articles 4,117 

Comforts 718 

Knitted articles 300 

Garments made have been cut by members of our own Auxil- 
iary. 

Maey H. Hanvey, Chairman. 

POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT AUXILIARY. 

Original number of members 240 

Present number of members 447 

Surgical Dressings made 142 

Garments made 10,242 

Comforts 1,634 

Knitted articles 200 

This organization has sent old clothes through Mrs. Lansing 
and has contributed to different relief organizations the sum of 
$575.00 aside from the help given during the influenza epidemic. 

Our contributions have included Italian Relief and National 
Allied Commission. 

Mes. Albert S. Bueleson, Chairman. 

PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE AUXILIARY. 

Original number of members 77 

Present number of members 33 

Garments made 1,368 

Linen articles 2,245 

Comforts 203 

Knitted articles 45 

Our records for dozens and dozens of sheets, pillow cases and 
towels from March to August, 1917, were lost in moving, so not 
included here. 

Have paid for two orphans, for 1917 and 1918, and have the 
amount for 1919. 

Made 500 masks for Public Health Service Hospital. 

Gave $20.00 to Comforts Committee at Christmas. 

Fleta L. Teask, Chairman. 



119 

RED CROSS HELPERS AUXILIARY. 

Original number of members 300 

Present number of members 

Garments made 12,930 

Surgical Dressings made 84,572 

Linen articles 3 dozen blankets. 

Comforts, 750 bags to Camp Meade, 100 bags to 

Mexican Border, 250 additional. Total 1,100 

Knitted articles 1,248 

We commenced in September, 1914, and until April, 1917, 
gave all supplies, including flannel, etc. We supplied all our 
wool. Surgical dressings were not started until 1915, 

Christmas, 1917, we gave 750 comfort bags to Camp Meade. 
We answered many emergency calls. 

Mrs. Garrison McClintock, Chairman. 

RED CROSS KITCHEN AUXILIARY NO. 1. 

Original number of members 62 

Present number of members 30 

Garments made 310 

Knitted articles 60 

Jelly made 15,310 glasses. 

Marmalade 106 gallons. 

Instead of surgical dressings we gave lessons in first aid at 
night for the girls employed through the day, during the first 
year of the war. 

Mrs, Allyn K. Capron, Supervisor. 

RHODE ISLAND AVENUE AUXILIARY. 

Original number of members 9 

Present number of members 322 

Garments made 14,892 

Knitted articles 557 

Drive for funds during December, 1917 $10,079.85 

Drive for funds during May, 1918 4,008.30 

Membership Drive December, 1918 1,347.84 

Collected salvage for three months with good results. Col- 
lected jellies (several hundred jars) for Railroad Canteen and 



120 

Walter Reed Hospital work. Ladies mended clothing for troops 
at Fort Myer. Packed Christmas bundles. Helped at K. C. 
ilut. Now selling the Walter Reed Hospital paper, The Come 
liack, at Navy Yard, Post Office, Belasco, Washington Hotel, 
Uialto theatre. This Auxiliary is composed of the following 
Churches. 

St. Martin's Catholic St. Agnes Episcopal 

Bethany Baptist St. Paul's M. S. 

United Brethren ' Lincoln Road Memorial 

Eckington Presbj^teriai R. I. Avenue Methodist 
Advent Episcopal Church of Atonement Lutheran 

Maey J. Fisher, Chairman. 
Mrs. W. E. Pairo was the first Chairman of this Auxiliary. 

ST. ALBANS AUXILIARY. 

Original number of members 17 

Present number of members 9 

Surgical Dressings made 28,556 

Garments 150 

Comforts 200 

Knitted articles no record kept. 

A few influenza masks, a little automobile service for the 
Walter Reed Hospital. A party for American University Camp. 
Raised $804 for American Red Cross. 

Cornelia C. Baird, Chairman. 

ST. ANDREWS AUXILIARY. 

Number of members beginning of organization. . 71 

Number of members now 60 

Number of Surgical Dressings made 5,985 

Number of Garments 1,687 

Number of Linen Articles 324 

Number of Comforts 60 

Number of Knitted Articles 609 

Assisted in all membership drives. 
Made broths and furnished to nurses during influenza. 
Gave a dance each Saturday evening from November, 1917, to 
rtarch, 1919, for men in uniform. 

Harriett A. Dimon, Chairman. 



121 

ST. MARGARET'S AUXILIARY. 

Original number of members 15 

Present number of members 48 

Surgical Dressings made 47,806 

Garments made 6,058 

Through Ansted Branch 3,000 plus 618 from 
Powell- Johnston, balance Washington Aux. : 

Linen articles 3,366 

Comforts 600 

Knitted Articles 5,000 

St. Margaret's took an active part in all parades, war and 
membership drives and house to house canvassing. They assisted 
during the influenza, and also made 3,000 masks. They fur- 
nished and sent Walter Reed Hospital 150 glasses of jelly and 
during the influenza epidemic jelly and broth for one of the 
hospitals. They took part in the Red Cross Christmas work and 
presented to the Red Cross 50 filled comfort bags, picture puzzle.s 
for St. Elizabeth 's and playing cards for various hospitals. 

In addition to these our Auxiliary had two branches, the An- 
sted, W. Va. Branch, under Mrs. William Nelson Page, and the 
Powell-Johnston School Branch. This latter was I think the first 
school auxiliary of the younger children in Washington and 
later was merged into the Junior Red Cross. Miss Littell was in 
charge of this work. During the spring and summer of 1917 
they contributed 618 articles to the Red Cross. The children 
forming this branch were from grades below the eighth. 

The Ansted Branch started under Mrs. Page with about 15 
members. Under Mrs. Page's leadership this Branch grew 
rapidly and soon had a large membership of both men and 
women, white and black, the miners and their families of that 
district, and a large fund. The people were very earnest, sup- 
ported their work entirely and presented to the Red Cross 
through St. Margaret's, who supervised and attended to their 
work for them, 300 garments and linen articles. When this 
Ansted work started the Chapter or Division would not accept 
them as a branch. Later, when the work had grown to large 
proportions, and the Potomac Division was formed, the Division 
insisted on their becoming an auxiliary to a West Virginia 
Chapter, which they eventually did, thus closing their connec- 
tion with St. Margaret's, 



122 

St. Margaret's also had a night class for war workers, the 
first in the District and this class is still at work, making surgical 
dressings for Walter Reed Hospital. The assistance rendered to 
the Red Cross by this class in many ways has been great. 

In addition to their own work St. Margaret's invited the War 
Department Auxiliary, under Mrs. Baker, the War Trade Board 
Auxiliary, under Mrs. Van Sindern, and the Army Medical 
Emergency Branch, under Mrs. Ireland, to use their workrooms 
and all apparatus. These invitations were all accepted. 

Mrs. I. W. LiTTELL, Chairman. 

ST. MARK'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH AUXILIARY. 

Original number of members 30 

Present number of members 21 

Garments made 2,000 

Linen articles 46 pillow cases. 

Knitted articles 140 

Turned in in pledges, subscriptions, etc., $878.00, comfort 
bags 60, housewives 67, handkerchiefs 159, influenza masks 160. 
In all Drives and marches. 

Mart A. Tremblay, Chairman. 

ST. THOMAS' CHURCH AUXILIARY. 

Original number of members 75 

Present number of members 25 

Surgical Dressings made 53,521 

Garments 725 

Linen articles 50 

Comforts 30 

Knitted articles 1,250 

Mrs. Samuel A. Kimberly, Chairman. 

SMITHSONIAN AUXILIARY. 

No report. Articles knitted sent to Chapter House. 

Miss Munroe, Chairman. 

STATE DEPARTMENT AUXILIARY. 

Original number of members 125 

Present number of members 70 



123 

Surgical Dressings made 1,370 

Garments 1,198 

14 complete layettes to Home Service. 

Comforts 150 

Knitted articles 704 

320 Christmas bags to Camp Meade and to the camps in 
France. 315 hospital garments have been sent to Neuilly, Paris, 
France, and Walter Reed Hospital. 357 knitted articles sent to 
Camp Meade, Camp McClellan and to Coast Guards, individual 
soldiers and to the crew of the Seneca. 5,684 garments sent to 
Halifax and refugees in Europe. 15 large boxes of worn cloth- 
ing sent to the Belgian Relief. 

Mrs. Robert Lansing, 
Mrs. Frank L. Polk, 
Chairmen. 

SOUTHWEST AUXILIARY. 

Number of members beginning of organization. . . 40 

Number of members now 116 

Number of Garments 3,750 

Number of Comforts 600 

Number of Knitted Articles 255 

This is as nearly accurate as I can make the statement. 

Mrs. M. F. Thompson, Chairman. 

takoma park auxiliary. 

Original number of members 25 

Present number of members 132 

Garments made 4,336 

Linen Articles 1,114 

Comforts 300 

Knitted articles 727 

300 glasses of jelly to Walter Reed Hospital, 
One graphonola and 32 records to Walter Reed Hospital. 
Entertainments given regularly by the aid of Presbyterian 
Episcopalian and Seventh Day Adventist Churches at Walter 
Reed. Work in Red Cross Drives, Christmas Roll Call and In- 
fluenza Epidemic. Also much clothing to refugees. 

Mrs. B. Calloway, Chairman. 



124 

TREASURY DEPARTMENT AUXILIARY. 

Original number of members 450 

Present number of members 4,572 

Surgical Dressings made 51,378 

Garments made 6,088 

Linen articles 80,732 

Comforts 2,037 

Knitted articles 11,969 

1007 Christmas handkercMefs December, 1917. 
$1288 raised for reconstruction work by Co. H (Unit 16). 
Treasury Diet Kitchen furnished 15,000 patients with food 
during the influenza epidemic at a cost of $7,500. 

Mrs. William G. McAdoo, 
Mrs. Carter Glass, 

Chairmen. 

TWENTIETH CENTURY CLUB. 

Original number of members 80 

Present number of members 130 

Surgical Dressings made 29,062 

Garments made 2,192 

Linen articles 179 

Comforts and Housewives 110 

Knitted articles about 1,000 

Workshop opened November 14, 1917, closed November 20, 
1918. This Auxiliary worked for Belgian relief in February, 
March and April, 1917. Some of the knitted articles were given 
to the District Chapter, some to Mrs. F. D. Roosevelt, some to the 
Navy Auxiliary, some to the Signal Corps Unit, some to Walter 
Reed Hospital and some were sent to Siberia through Mrs. Black 
and given individually to friends and relatives of the Auxiliary. 
Also unlisted quantities of jellies were sent to Walter Reed 
Hospital. 

Mrs. Mary Swormstedt, Chairman. 

UNITED DAUGHTERS OF THE CONFEDERACY 
AUXILIARY. 

Original number of members 29 

Number of members now 28 



125 

Number of Surgical Dressings made 500 

Number of Garments 911 

Number of Comforts 12 

(800 Italian bags) 

Number of Knitted Articles 193 

One of tbe members goes twice a week to Walter Reed Hospital 
with jellies and other supplies. We have provided ice cream 
twice a week and have entertained several hundred of the soldiers 
at different times during the period of the war. 

Mrs. Rosa H. Mulcuee, Chairman. 

UNITED SPANISH WAR VETERANS AUXILIARY. 

Original number of members 24 

Present number of members 11 

Surgical Dressings made 2,000 

Garments made 26,100 

Linen articles 8,000 

Comforts 150 

Knitted Articles 1,200 

The members have assisted in all drives, made samples, influ- 
enza masks, nurses aprons and caps, aided with the sale of the 
Come Back paper every week. 

Mrs. Ida M. Galloway, Chairman. 

WAR DEPARTMENT AUXILIARY. 

The War Department Auxiliary accomplished great things. 
Hundreds of garments were made and many thousands of sur- 
gical dressings, as well as knitted articles. Thousands of socks 
were darned for the soldiers. 

Reconstruction work at Walter Reed Hospital was largely 
supported by this auxiliary. An appropriation of a thousand 
dollars was made to aid in War Department women workers at 
Holiday House, who might be in need of assistance. Another 
appropriation of $1,500.00 was sent to the Chapter for work at 
St. Elizabeth's Hospital. Many other gifts have been made by 
this auxiliary and additional work accomplished. 

Mrs. Newton D. Baker, Chairman. 
Miss Jessie Dell, Manager. 



126 

WASHINGTON TERMINAL AUXILIARY. 

Original number of members 10 

Present number of members 120 

Surgical dressings made 7,124 

Garments 2,104 

Linen articles, 6 barrels of old linen and 22,120 made 
articles. 

Comforts 389 

Knitted articles 583 

The Auxiliary assisted in two membership drives, Red Cross 
Money Fund, Liberty Loans and W. S. S. Also in caring for in- 
fluenza patients, and salvage work. The Auxiliary raised in 
money during the two years, $33,835.46, and from the sale of 
"Come Back" $413.85. 

Mrs. G. H. Winslow, Chairman. 

WASHINGTON WARD OF THE AMERICAN MILITARY 
HOSPITAL NO. 1, NEUILLY, FRANCE. 

Original number of members 

Present number of members 

Surgical Dressings made 602,987 

Garments made 3,653 

Linen articles 59 rolls. 

Comforts 1,045 

Knitted articles 6,100 

2 wheeled chairs 

Mrs. Murray Burrell, 4 weeks every day, all day long, in In- 
fluenza Hospital. Two Red Cross Drives entire time. One 
soldier billetted three months. Nine evening entertainments for 
soldiers. 

Miss Redfern 12 visits to Walter Reed Hospital carrying ice 
cream, cake, candy and comforts. Took charge of old home, 
renovated, furnished and equipped- it for 25 women war work- 
ers and acted as matron for three months. 

Saleswomen at Heeht's and Lansburgh's Department stores 
helped the Washington Ward Auxiliary making garments and 
knitting things in their luncheon time. Church of the Covenant 
helped making garments and knitting. 

Mrs. Gibson Falnestock, Chairman. 



127 

WAUGH M. E. CHURCH AUXILIARY. 

Original number of members 50 

Number of members now 35 

Number of garments 720 

Number if Linen Articles 3,273 

Number of Knitted Articles 19 

Took part in four drives. 

Three members helped to nurse during influenza epidemic. 

Helped to pack Christmas gifts, 1917. 

Spent about $100.00 for supplies. 

Made many masks. 

Mrs. Court F, Wood, Chairman. 

WESLEY CHAPEL AUXILIARY. 

Original number of members 15 

Present number of members 8 

Garments made 151 

Linen articles 859 

Number of comforts 134 

Knitted articles 50 

Mrs. W. T. Galliher, Chairman. 

WESTERN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AUXILIARY. 

Number of members beginning of organization. . 3 

Number of members now 70 

Number of garments between 600 and 700 

Number of linen articles several large bundles 

Number of comforts about 600 

Number of knitted articles about 500 

First year of war unit furnished all materials for work. 

Chairman fixed and delivered 260 Christmas boxes to unre- 
membered and sick soldiers at Meade, Earned $1,000 for ser- 
vice clubs by singing; 10 outfits for "Warrington." Nursed 
four sick soldiers in own home. Gave other services. 

Mrs. Noble Newport Potts, Chairman. 

WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION 
AUXILIARY. 

Original number of members 20 

Present number of members 125 

Garments made 64 



128 

We were not organized until December, 1918, on account of 
the major part of our organization being in other Auxiliaries. 
We have some unfinished work on hand which will be turned in 
soon. 

Emma Sanpord Shelton, Chairman. 

WOMAN'S RELIEF CORPS AUXILIARY. 

Original number of members. 5 

Present number of members 5 

Garments made 14 

Comforts 10 

Owing to the lateness in season in beginning work and in- 
ability to work in our hall we have not been able to accomplish 
very much. 

M. Alice Stine, Chairman. 

WOODLEY PARK AUXILIARY. 

Number of members beginning of organization 38 

Number of members now 660, including small 
groups from All Souls' Episcopal Church, St. 
Thomas' Roman Catholic Church, Washing- 
ton Heights Presbyterian Church and the 
Epiphany Lutheran Church. 

Number of Surgical Dressings made 33,678 

Number of Garments 10,217 

Number of Linen Articles 5,827 

Number of Comforts 1,576 

Number of Knitted Articles 3,433 

1. The 1917 Christmas work, for District of Columbia 
soldiers, 20,209 khaki packets, was in charge of the Chairman of 
this Auxiliary. 

2. The District of Columbia "Christmas Membership Drive" 
for 1917 (Women's work) was in charge of the Chairman of this 
Auxiliary. 

3. In April, 1918, this Auxiliary presented the torpedo-boat 
destroyer Waters (officers and crew) with complete sets of 
knitted articles which cost this organization over $1,200.00 for 
the wool alone. 

4. For the ''Second Red Cross War Fund," May, 1918, this 
Auxiliary collected $9,528.00. 

5. The 1918 Christmas work for the District of Columbia 



129 

soldiers overseas (consisting of the inspection and dispatch of 
9,844 Christmas boxes) was in charge of the Chairman of this 
organization who was assisted almost exclusively by members of 
the "WooDLEY Park Auxiliary. In addition to their services 
for this work, through one entire month, they gave a personal 
donation of $249.60, which made possible the sending at the 
*' Eleventh Hour," 279 Christmas boxes to ''Friendless sol- 
diers." 

6. The 1918 Christmas Eve distribution of candy and cigar- 
ettes to soldiers at East Potomac Park camp was made by the 
1st Vice Chairman (Mrs. "W, E. Shannon) and eight members 
of this Auxiliary, 

7. When the Woodley Park Auxiliary disbanded, February 
1, 1919, it presented to the District Chapter its private stock 
and equipment representing a cash value of over $1,600.00. 

8. Upon completing its records, February 1, 1919, the 
Woodley Park Auxiliary funds in bank amounted to $1,625.00, 
which at this present, await proper disposal. 

Mrs, Henry B. Soule, Chairman. 



CONGRESS 



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